WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Hina) - The visit of Croatian President Stipe Mesic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan marks a new beginning in relations between Croatia and the United States, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said in
Washington Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Hina) - The visit of Croatian President Stipe
Mesic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan marks a new beginning in
relations between Croatia and the United States, US Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright said in Washington Wednesday. #L#
After the first round of talks with members of the Croatian
delegation at the State Department, Albright assessed Croatia had
for only several months become a force and factor of regional
stability, adding that in that period complete partnership with the
West had been accomplished.
Mesic reiterated the strategic goals of the new authority was
complete accession into the European Union and NATO, and asked for
US assistance in the achievement of these goals.
According to Mesic, Croatia is facing a serious problem -- a lack of
investment capital which would initiate production and the
exploiting of abundant resources.
"We wish for Croatia to be a country of secure investments," he
added, stressing the country's legislature was being adapted to
European standards.
Mesic said the Government in Zagreb advocated the return of all
refugees and displaced persons to their homes. Our interest is that
everybody returns, notwithstanding their nationality or other
affiliations, and the return of Croatian Serbs indirectly assists
the democratisation of Serbs, he said.
Albright asserted Croatia had set an example for other countries in
the region, especially Yugoslavia, on how a people can decide about
their own fate and dismiss a repressive regime.
President Mesic bestowed upon Albright a high Croatian medal, the
order of Queen Jelena and Croatian Morning Star "for her
contribution to the democratic changes and solving the crisis in
the Southeast of Europe".
Secretary at the White House, Capricia Penavic, was given a medal
for her development to friendly relations between the two
countries, which US vice-president Al Gore's advisor for national
security, Leon Fuerth, received a medal for contribution to
Croatia's international recognition and the development of overall
relations between Croatia and the United States.
(hina) lml