ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan has announced that besides the government's crisis committee, a broader co-ordinating body for crisis situations should soon be established. The purpose of the body, which would
include other factors from the Croatian political life, would be to bolster the security situation in the country, Racan said on Friday while leaving a joint session of the Sabor's internal affairs and national security committee and foreign affairs committee. Asked when the establishment of such a body could be expected, Racan answered it would be set up in the coming days. Racan informed participants in the joint session about his cabinet's measures for countering threats of terrorism and improving security in the country as well as about the moves Zagreb had made to contribute to the global anti-terrorist fight. Croatia is a safe and stable country and we
ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan has announced
that besides the government's crisis committee, a broader co-
ordinating body for crisis situations should soon be established.
The purpose of the body, which would include other factors from the
Croatian political life, would be to bolster the security situation
in the country, Racan said on Friday while leaving a joint session
of the Sabor's internal affairs and national security committee and
foreign affairs committee.
Asked when the establishment of such a body could be expected, Racan
answered it would be set up in the coming days.
Racan informed participants in the joint session about his
cabinet's measures for countering threats of terrorism and
improving security in the country as well as about the moves Zagreb
had made to contribute to the global anti-terrorist fight.
Croatia is a safe and stable country and we would like to maintain
that situation despite the fact we are living in a restive region,
the PM added.
He reiterated that one should take more decisive measures to deal
with various forms of instability and violence that occurred in the
political life.
In this context, Racan said everybody, including the media, had to
face their share of responsibility. He warned that the media should
not publish reports on terrorists or suspected terrorists, which
contained unchecked information. It is of no use if we find
ourselves in a situation where the U.S. Ambassador must deny
allegations which are false and detrimental to Croatia, Racan said
referring to Tuesday's statement issued by the United States'
Embassy.
The embassy's statement commented on articles that appeared in some
Croatian media to the effect that Croatia was not deemed a full
member of the international coalition that is being assembled to
combat terrorism.
"From the day of the tragic events on September 11, Ambassador
Lawrence Rossin, in numerous interviews, statements and articles,
has expressed the United States Government's gratitude to the
Government of Croatia and to the Croatian people for their
outpouring of support and statements of solidarity in the face of
these attacks," read the statement.
"Croatia's own statements and actions have made it clear its
determination to contribute to the struggle against terrorism.
Ambassador Rossin has stated that the United States Government
considers Croatia a full member of the global coalition and a
welcome participant. Any reporting to the contrary does not
represent the view of the United States Government and is therefore
wrong," the embassy's statement read.
Racan reiterated his cabinet's readiness to contribute to the fight
against terrorism on the global level as well.
He also advised that nobody should equate terrorism with a race,
nation or religion.
Racan left the joint session before its end, due to his busy
schedule.
(hina) ms