CRO PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES GEORGE BUSH ON ELECTORAL VICTORY

ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Thursday sent a letter of congratulations to George W. Bush on the occasion of his victory at the United States presidential election expressing hope that Croatian-American relations would continue to develop positively during his mandate. "Dear Mr Governor, it is my extreme pleasure to be able to congratulate you, on behalf of all citizens of Croatia and myself, on the victory at the presidential elections", the letter read. "I am convinced that your administration in the field of international relations will lead a policy which will enable the United States to maintain and confirm the role they have today on the global plan, and which for us in Southeast Europe, was and still is of extreme importance", the Croatian President said. President Mesic also said that relations between Croatia and the United States in the past decade had gone through several stages, and were currently ascending. "I hope, and it is my wish, that the positive development trend in Croatian-American relations will continue during your mandate", Mesic said expressing hope for a personal meeting with the newly elected American president. (hina) it