ZAGREB/WIDENMOOS, Nov 2 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic, who is visiting Switzerland, held a lecture "The Creation of the Independent Croatia; Democratic Croatia" in Widenmoos, near Zurich, Thursday afternoon, before some 150
members of the Widenmoos Club and guests from the country's political and economic life.
ZAGREB/WIDENMOOS, Nov 2 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic,
who is visiting Switzerland, held a lecture "The Creation of the
Independent Croatia; Democratic Croatia" in Widenmoos, near
Zurich, Thursday afternoon, before some 150 members of the
Widenmoos Club and guests from the country's political and economic
life. #L#
Mesic recalled conditions under which the former Yugoslavia had
dissolved and in which the independent Croatia had been created.
In the 20th century Yugoslavia had been assembled twice and fell
apart the same number of times, and "the international community,
based on this experience, would certainly not allow anybody to
reassemble Yugoslavia," Mesic said.
Speaking about changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mesic
expressed hope it was the beginning of a process in which Serbia and
the Serbian people would face the truth about the past decade and
necessary consequences.
The essence is that the fact that Milosevic has left is not
sufficient; his Greater Serbian, imperial and criminal policy must
also perish, Mesic asserted.
In the part of his lecture on the state of today's Croatia, Mesic
invited foreign investors to "assist Croatia, not in the form of a
charity, but investments on a profitability basis which will
provide an impetus to Croatia's economy and new job
opportunities".
Mesic also spoke briefly about the process of constitutional
amendments, specifying the presidential function ought to remain a
firm point of a system which will be able to play its role in
possible crisis situations.
Speaking about the return of refugees and displaced persons, the
Croatian President stressed all citizens of Croatia who had left or
were forced to leave Croatia, had a right to return.
He also asserted Croatia's resoluteness to investigate and process
war criminals because, as he put it, "criminals always have a name
and surname, crime does not have a nationality".
Mesic tackled the issue of relations between the Croatian State and
members of the Croat people whose place of abode is outside of
Croatia, stressing they were "an element of connection" between
Croatia and countries in which they live. He added he expected such
a stance from other countries, especially Serbia.
Enumerating the basic elements of Croatia's foreign policy, Mesic
reiterated Croatia wanted an individual approach in joining the
European Union.
"Because of its own interests Croatia is inclined to cooperate with
its neighbours, but does not want to be shackled to the region,"
Mesic asserted.
During the one-day visit to Switzerland, Mesic held a working
breakfast with the Swiss Foreign Minister, Joseph Deiss,
discussing bilateral issues, the situation in the region after
changes in Yugoslavia, and the crisis in the Near East.
(hina) lml jn