WASHINGTON, March 31 (Hina) - During the current Kosovo crisis Croatia has actively confirmed that it shares and accepts values of the democratic worlds and that there is the unequivocal partnership toward the United States and the
NATO. In this regard, Croatia has also clear expectations, said Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic upon his arrival in Washington. On Wednesday he is to hold two rounds of talks. In the morning he is to meet Ambassador Robert Gelbard, in the afternoon he will be received by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who invited him to arrive in Washington on a working visit. According to a spokesman of the State Department, James Rubin, the Albright-Granic talks will revolve around the developments in Kosovo, the current NATO military operation against Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) as well as around the bilateral ties and the implementation of
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Hina) - During the current Kosovo crisis
Croatia has actively confirmed that it shares and accepts values of
the democratic worlds and that there is the unequivocal partnership
toward the United States and the NATO. In this regard, Croatia has
also clear expectations, said Croatian Foreign Minister Mate
Granic upon his arrival in Washington.
On Wednesday he is to hold two rounds of talks. In the morning he is
to meet Ambassador Robert Gelbard, in the afternoon he will be
received by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who invited
him to arrive in Washington on a working visit.
According to a spokesman of the State Department, James Rubin, the
Albright-Granic talks will revolve around the developments in
Kosovo, the current NATO military operation against Yugoslavia
(Serbia/Montenegro) as well as around the bilateral ties and the
implementation of the Dayton accords.
Prior to Granic's arrival in Washington, Rubin said Albright would
like to express gratitude to Granic for a clear and friendly stand
of Croatia in connection with the crisis in Kosovo and the NATO
action.
Asked by reporters whether Albright and Granic would discuss the
possible usage of Croatia's airspace by NATO, Rubin answered that
such question should be forwarded to the Pentagon.
Croatian Minister Granic said the current developments, from one
hand, enhanced Croatia's prospects of entering NATO and joining the
Partnership for Peace programme. They could help accelerate
Croatia's admittance to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and also
contribute to the advancement of the bilateral relations between
the United States and Croatia.
However, the medal has the other side. Croatia will suffer certain
economic damage, particularly in tourism and traffic. Croatia is
expecting an assistance from the United States and particularly
from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to remove
such consequences.
We are also exposed to threats by Yugoslavia and we expect the
support in case the Belgrade government should try expand the
conflict, Granic added.
He also would like that American guarantees given to all
neighbouring countries would be concretely confirmed at the
highest diplomatic levels.
Granic's talks with Albright and Gelbard will also cover such
issues as Prevlaka, certain internal questions like the electoral
law, the programme for the return of refugees and Croatia's
cooperation with the Hague-based International Tribunal.
A great number of requests of U.S. Congressmen and some
Administration officials to talk with Minister Granic shows how
much Americans are interested in being acquainted with the Croatian
views. However, during this short working visit to Washington the
Croatian Foreign Minister will not be able to hold talks with them,
as he is due to fly to Bonn after the meetings with Albright and
Gelbard. In Germany Granic will attend a meeting of foreign
ministers of countries bordering with Yugoslavia and ministers of
the European Union troika.
The Croatian Days in Chicago on April 6 can serve as the first next
occasion for talks between Croatian and U.S. officials.
(hina) ms