U.S. GOVT DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF CROATIA

ZAGREB, Jan 7 (Hina) - The United States' Government does not support officially or unofficially any candidate for President of Croatia, the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb said in a statement on Friday. "In response to recent speculation in the media, the U.S. Embassy, speaking for the entire U.S. Government, states categorically that we do not support officially or unofficially any candidate for President of Croatia. The people of Croatia need no help or advice whatsoever from any outside force in selecting their candidate for President," read the statement. The United States pledges its support to the new Government, President and, most importantly, to the Croatian people "as they move ahead to a better, brighter and more democratic future." The U.S Government congratulates once again to the people of Croatia and its institutions for the large voter turnout, effective management of the voting process, and peaceful nature of the recent election campaign and actual voting for Parliament, the statement read. Part of the domestic and foreign media recently speculated that the United States supported Mate Granic as President of Croatia. The first round of presidential elections, which is to see ten candidates, will take place on January 24. (hina) rml