ZAGREB, 25 March (Hina) - At its session on Thursday, the Croatian Government presided by Premier Zlatko Matesa, considered the situation following a Northern-Atlantic Alliance air strike at military targets in the Republic of
Yugoslavia. In its conclusions the Government emphasised that since the beginning of the Kosovo crisis, the Republic of Croatia has supported efforts by the international community in finding a political solution which would take heed of the legitimate interests of ethnic Albanians. Belgrade's refusal to accept a draft agreement in Paris was a valuable opportunity missed which could have commenced an effective and peaceful solution to the crisis, the Government's media office reported. For this reason, Croatia decisevely supports efforts by the international community to use all resources to compel the Yugoslav government to accept the peace agreement. The Government hopes that the measures
ZAGREB, 25 March (Hina) - At its session on Thursday, the Croatian
Government presided by Premier Zlatko Matesa, considered the
situation following a Northern-Atlantic Alliance air strike at
military targets in the Republic of Yugoslavia.
In its conclusions the Government emphasised that since the
beginning of the Kosovo crisis, the Republic of Croatia has
supported efforts by the international community in finding a
political solution which would take heed of the legitimate
interests of ethnic Albanians. Belgrade's refusal to accept a draft
agreement in Paris was a valuable opportunity missed which could
have commenced an effective and peaceful solution to the crisis,
the Government's media office reported.
For this reason, Croatia decisevely supports efforts by the
international community to use all resources to compel the Yugoslav
government to accept the peace agreement. The Government hopes that
the measures undertaken will result in the renewal of negotiations,
prevent the spreading of the conflict and to renew stability in this
section of Europe.
Nevertheless, the Croatian Government highlighted that the efforts
undertaken to resolve the problems in neighbouring countries with
the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia have resulted in large
economic and other damages.
The objectives of our economic policies are difficult enough to
realise because of the fact that world considers Croatia as a
country located in the crisis zone and as such is often avoided by
capital and tourist flows or at least, huge caution is taken towards
crisis regions, the Government's statement said. The political
crisis in our neighbourhood such as the current one, directly
prevents Croatia from presenting itself as a peaceful and orderly
European country.
Croatia's situation is particularly difficult because it is not a
member of the North-Atlantic Alliance nor the Partnership for Peace
however, despite its own will, it is compelled to carry the
responsibilities and repercussions and in some cases to greater
measures than other larger member-countries.
For this reason the Croatian Government justifiably demands that
the United States Government clearly evidents itself with regard to
guarantees for Croatia equal to other NATO member countries and the
Partnership for Peace. Considering the situation and role Croatia
has it is unjustified and unreasonable that Croatia is excluded
from the said guarantees, the Government's statement said.
The Croatian Government holds that its air space over Zagreb and
corridors toward Slovenia should be opened immediately and that
security be guaranteed for domestic traffic and flights to other
Croatian airports. The entire southern region of Croatia depends on
air traffic so this situation cannot be upheld for an indefinite
period.
The Government hopes that NATO military actions will result in the
desired objectives - the political solution to the Kosovo crisis,
however, it is prepared to undertake the necessary steps if these
actions were to directly or indirectly continue to damage the
state, the Government's press release concluded.
(hina) sp