ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - U.S. Secretary of State Medeleine Albright finished her visit to Zagreb on Wednesday evening by meeting Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic. This has been Albright's first arrival in Zagreb since the recent
parliamentary election which the coalition of the Social Democratic and the Croatian Social Liberal parties (SDP/HSLS) won, and by this act she showed the support of Washington to changes in Croatia and announced U.S. assistance as well.
ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - U.S. Secretary of State Medeleine Albright
finished her visit to Zagreb on Wednesday evening by meeting Sabor
President Zlatko Tomcic.
This has been Albright's first arrival in Zagreb since the recent
parliamentary election which the coalition of the Social
Democratic and the Croatian Social Liberal parties (SDP/HSLS) won,
and by this act she showed the support of Washington to changes in
Croatia and announced U.S. assistance as well.#L#
"This has been a good signal that the new Croatian authorities will
have strong, practical and political backing of the United States,"
said Tomcic, the acting head of state, after his talks with
Albright.
The visit of the U.S. delegation to the Croatian national
parliament happened to be on the same day when the Sabor's House of
Representatives held its constituent session and Albright
congratulated Tomcic and partners on a successful job they began on
January 3.
The new House of Representatives President recalled his meeting
with the U.S. Secretary of State before a year and a half when
representatives from the block of the then six opposition parties
showed clearly to the U.S. Administration that, if they came to
power they would redress thing with which they were dissatisfied.
First of all, it is our wish to contribute to "full democratisation
of Croatia as a pre-condition for a settlement to economic, social
and international problems," Tomcic added.
Tomcic promised to do all possible within his authorities to ensure
that Croatia will fully respect all international commitments it
has assumed.
During her stay in Zagreb on Wednesday afternoon Albright met
Croatian Premier Ivica Racan, the two candidates who are to contest
the Croatian presidential run-off, Stipe Mesic and Drazen Budisa,
and representatives of the 'GONG' non-governmental organisation.
Albright told all of them that the path of reforms Croatia has taken
was the right one and Croatia could count on the United States'
support on that path.
(hina) ms