WASHINGTON, April 110 (Hina) - Since Friday Croatia has been included, under a decision of U.S. President Bill Clinton, into countries eligible for direct military cooperation and the purchase of U.S. weaponry and military equipment.
The decision formally means the removal of an embargo on the export of arms and military equipment into Croatia, but it also reflects the advancement in the Croatian-American relations. "The presidential decision has the unequivocal political importance but also a concrete meaning for the relations between the Croatian Army and the U.S. Armed Forces," said Croatia's Ambassador in Washington, Miomir Zuzul. According to Clinton's decision, Croatia is eligible to be supplied with military equipment and to receive military services in conformity with the law on foreign aid and the law on the control of arms' export. Clinton explained that in this way the s
WASHINGTON, April 110 (Hina) - Since Friday Croatia has been
included, under a decision of U.S. President Bill Clinton, into
countries eligible for direct military cooperation and the
purchase of U.S. weaponry and military equipment.
The decision formally means the removal of an embargo on the export
of arms and military equipment into Croatia, but it also reflects
the advancement in the Croatian-American relations.
"The presidential decision has the unequivocal political
importance but also a concrete meaning for the relations between
the Croatian Army and the U.S. Armed Forces," said Croatia's
Ambassador in Washington, Miomir Zuzul.
According to Clinton's decision, Croatia is eligible to be supplied
with military equipment and to receive military services in
conformity with the law on foreign aid and the law on the control of
arms' export.
Clinton explained that in this way the security of his country had
been bolstered and the peace in the world promoted.
The White House announced the decision on the establishment of the
normal and direct military cooperation during the visit of the
first Croatian presidential mission to the United States and during
a great economic, political and cultural event in Chicago at which
Croatia has been promoting itself as a reliable partner of the
United States.
It is certain that Croatia's stand and support to the current NATO
military operation served as the final confirmation on the
justification of such decision of the U.S. Administration.
According to Zuzul, Clinton's decision shows that the two countries
are poised to advance their overall relations toward a new level,
and this (decision) has been the first concrete step at the new
stage of the relationship.
By the decision, the United States annulled effects of a decision
made by the UN Security Council seven an a half years ago on the
embargo on delivery of arms to the area of the former Yugoslavia.
The UN Resolution 713, passed on 25 September 1991, ordered to all
UN member-states to impose a general and full embargo on all
shipments of weaponry and military equipment to the Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia because of the establishment of
peace and security in the then Yugoslavia.
Although in the meantime the circumstances changed completely,
Washington obviously has awaited such a level in the ties with
Croatia which may fully justify a decision to open possibilities of
such direct military cooperation.
(hina) ms