WASHINGTON, March 31 (Hina) - Four representatives of Croatian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Friday finished their one-week-long working visit to Washington, where they stayed at an invitation of the "Freedom House"
organisation and the American National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Hina) - Four representatives of Croatian non-
governmental organisations (NGOs) on Friday finished their one-
week-long working visit to Washington, where they stayed at an
invitation of the "Freedom House" organisation and the American
National Endowment for Democracy (NED). #L#
The wish of hosts was to learn of the experience Croatia gained
during the run-up to the elections and during parliamentary and
presidential polls.
Tin Gazivoda, the head of "Voice 99", Jadranka Lakus on behalf of
Croatian unionists, Suzana Jasic on behalf of "Gong" and Zrinjka
Perusko-Culek from the Zagreb-based Institute for International
Relations held many meetings and talks in the United States.
They met Congressman George Radanovich, and an advisor of the
Congress' lower house, Debbie Stabenow.
They were received by the director of the State Department 's office
for South-East Europe, Tom Countryman, USAID officials and
National Democratic Institute representatives.
They conducted very interesting talks with Steve Rukavina, the
president of the National Federation of American Croats.
Americans wanted to know whether some Croatian experience could be
applied in the work of NGOs and associations in Serbia, as they
maintain that democratic changes in Belgrade will be an important
pre-condition for the overall stabilisation of the region.
State Department and USAID (U.S. Agency for International
Development) officials said Washington would continue to help
Croatia and its NGOs. The priority would be given to programmes for
the economic recovery, while NGOs can count on some $10 million of
annual assistance.
(hina) jn ms