MESIC, RACAN VISIT 'USS DWIGHT EISENHOWER' AIRCRAFT CARRIER

DUBROVNIK, April 30 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stipe Mesic and Premier Ivica Racan and associates on Sunday visited the United States Navy's "USS Dwight Eisenhower" aircraft carrier, which will be anchored in the southern port of Dubrovnik from May 1 to 5. President Mesic and Premier Racan were welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to Croatia William Montgomery and Rear Admiral John B. Foley. During the eight-hour visit, Mesic, Racan, Defence Minister Jozo Rados and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula toured the aircraft carrier, viewing the captain's bridge, the take-off board control operations centre, the area where aircraft are stored, and watched flight operations. President Mesic said it was known Croatia's strategic objective was access to NATO, adding today's visit showed how powerful NATO was. "The message to all who think war is the answer to problems is that war doesn't pay, while the message to us is to shorten the deadlines for accessing NATO and the European Union," the President said. Premier Racan said he was happy to have had the chance to see the commensalism of state-of-the-art technology and organisation, adding he was glad he had seen the power of the U.S. army "eight days before my departure to Brussels where Croatia is expected to join Partnership for Peace." The "USS Dwight Eisenhower" aircraft carrier has a crew of some 5,000 officers, pilots, and sailors, and 65 aircraft. While in Dubrovnik, the carrier will be open to the public. (hina) ha