MESIC: VISIT TO ISRAEL TO HELP CROATIA GET RID OF LEGACY OF FORMER AUTHORITIES

ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - In an interview with Hina, given ahead of his visit to Israel, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic has said the visit will help Croatia get rid of the legacy of its former authorities and the progress the country makes in that regard will help it gain its rightful position in the eyes of the Israeli public, which will have to reflect on its position on the international level. During his visit, to take place between October 30 and November 1, the Croatian president will meet Israel's highest state officials. "I believe my upcoming visit to Israel is the kind of activity in foreign policy which will help Croatia get rid of the legacy of its former authorities," Mesic said. He recalled that the two countries' relations were "far from what they could and should be," not only because of some parts of late president Franjo Tudjman's book "The Horrors of War", but because of the former authorities' "flirting with the Ustasha ideology." Due to Croatia's mistakes and failures as well as Belgrade's propaganda machine, Israel has become distrustful towards Croatia. "I am confident I will present today's Croatia as a modern, democratic country with clear, unambiguous stands about anti- fascism, as well as about neo-fascism, regardless of where it occurs. This change, which will help Croatia gain its rightful position in the eyes of the Israeli public, has to reflect on our entire international position in a positive way," Mesic said. Croatia and Israel do not have political issues in a wider bilateral context, says Mesic, adding that both countries, which established diplomatic relations in 1997, want to improve their relations in all areas. Zagreb also cares about good relations with Arab countries, and Croatia, which has regular contacts with the leadership of the Palestinian self-government, supports their struggle for legitimate national rights. "As regards the Middle East, I leave for Israel with a message of peace which says that it is better to negotiate ten years than wage war ten days, and this is a message which refers to all those involved in the Middle East crisis," Mesic said, adding the message was particularly important today when the world was facing the threat of global terrorism. "The existence and security of the Israeli state cannot be brought into question in any way. Similarly, the situation in which the Palestinians live cannot last forever," Mesic said, adding the two sides should seek a solution in talks. Only a lasting and just peace can bring a solution to the crisis which has made the Middle East one of the world's most serious crisis spots, he said. Neither Croatia nor Israel are satisfied with their current relations, the President said, adding the cooperation had to be improved, primarily in the field of economy. The annual trade between the two countries amounts to 12 million dollars. Apart from economic relations, Mesic and his hosts will discuss the situation in the Middle East and South-East Europe and the fight against global terrorism. The President will hold a lecture on the fight against global terrorism at Jerusalem's Hebrew University and the Israeli parliament. Croatia wants Israel to open its embassy in Zagreb as soon as possible, Mesic said, adding he would convey this message to his hosts. "I am confident that the development of relations between the two countries and the need to eliminate things that burdened them and hampered their development in the past would prompt Israel to send its ambassador to Croatia, with the seat in our capital," Mesic said. (hina) rml