ZAGREB, May 1 (Hina) - Croatia's Ambassador to the United States on Saturday spoke at CNN's "Q&A" which focused on Croatia's stand regarding NATO's air strikes against Yugoslavia, the Kosovo crisis and its consequences on surrounding
countries, and on the situation in the region in general. The resolution of the Kosovo crisis calls for a combination of military action and diplomatic pressure, Ambassador Miomir Zuzul said. Zuzul pointed out Croatia was concerned with the situation in Kosovo, supported NATO's action, and believed it was the way to finally stop Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Had the international community intervened as it is doing now during the war in Croatia earlier in the decade, Zuzul said he believed the conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the current one in Kosovo might have been avoided. The ambassador pointed out Croatia will continue cooperation
ZAGREB, May 1 (Hina) - Croatia's Ambassador to the United States on
Saturday spoke at CNN's "Q&A" which focused on Croatia's stand
regarding NATO's air strikes against Yugoslavia, the Kosovo crisis
and its consequences on surrounding countries, and on the situation
in the region in general.
The resolution of the Kosovo crisis calls for a combination of
military action and diplomatic pressure, Ambassador Miomir Zuzul
said.
Zuzul pointed out Croatia was concerned with the situation in
Kosovo, supported NATO's action, and believed it was the way to
finally stop Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.
Had the international community intervened as it is doing now
during the war in Croatia earlier in the decade, Zuzul said he
believed the conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the current one in
Kosovo might have been avoided.
The ambassador pointed out Croatia will continue cooperation with
NATO, among else by agreeing to have NATO aircraft fly over its
territory, and by accepting all responsibilities which might
ensue.
Asked about Croatia's relations with Yugoslavia since the NATO
strikes, Ambassador Zuzul said the two countries had begun with the
normalisation of relations, but voiced Croatia's concern about the
continuation of that process, primarily in the wake of recent
Yugoslav military moves in the demilitarised area of Prevlaka,
Croatia's southern-most tip which borders with the Yugoslav
Republic of Montenegro.
Ambassador Zuzul pointed out Croatia's economy, and tourism as the
chief means of income in particular, was suffering major damage due
to the NATO strikes, but added that viewed in the long run, final
stabilisation in the region should bring benefits.
Asked about the return of Croatian Serb refugees, Zuzul said the
Serb national community enjoys constitutionally protected rights
as all other Croatian citizens.
They just have to be loyal Croatian citizens, just accept the
minimum, which is the Croatian Constitution and legislation, the
ambassador said, reminding all Croatian Serb refugees had been
called on to return on several occasions, and some 60,000 did.
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