TOP CROATIAN OFFICIALS MEET EU TROIKA, U.S. AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, July 10 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan, Deputy PM Goran Granic, and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula discussed in Zagreb on Tuesday the current situation in Croatia with the European Union Troika, and the United States Ambassador to Croatia, Lawrence Rossin. The EU Troika expressed satisfaction with and extended great support to the Croatian government's decision to act in line with its international commitments and the latest requests from the Hague war crimes tribunal. The Troika said the EU was confident Croatia would continue having good cooperation with the Union, thereby proving a factor of regional stability, which they emphasised was a common interest. Prime Minister Racan reiterated the government had never questioned the cooperation with the Hague tribunal, as the condemnation of war crimes and prosecution of perpetrators were part of its programme. The EU Troika included Belgian Ambassador Luc Liebaut, Spanish Ambassador Antonio Pedauye y Gonzales, and the head of the European Commission delegation in Croatia, Per Vinther. The talks with U.S. Ambassador Rossin also addressed the government's decision to act in line with the Hague tribunal's requests. Strongly supporting the government, the ambassador said the decision would further strengthen U.S. and international community support to the government's reforms. (hina) ha