US EMBASSY: US GOVT WILL PAY COSTS OF BILATERAL MILITARY EXERCISE

ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - The United States Embassy in Croatia on Tuesday commented on several articles published in Croatian media reading that the United States Government had not paid any fees or costs for the recently completed bilateral military exercises in the central Croatian town of Slunj. "Although the exercises were scheduled very late and both the Croatian and American officials and military services had to prepare on a very short notice, it was and is the intention of the U.S. Government to reimburse the Ministry of Defence and/or the Government of Croatia for normal usage fees associated with all facets of the exercise", the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. Embassy officials and representatives of the Defence Department began negotiations with the Croatian Defence Ministry to determine costs even before the exercise began. The Embassy expects the final signing of a contract by the Defence Ministry to be completed this week. The costs determined and agreed to will b paid soon after a contract is received, the Embassy said in the statement. The is Government is very pleased with the cooperation and intends to scheduled additional bilateral exercises in Croatia in the future. (hina) it