WASHINGTON, May 14 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Pavao Miljavac on Thursday held separate talks with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and a special US envoy for the Balkans, Robert Gelbard. Following the talks at the
State Department, Miljavac told reporters he was satisfied with the atmosphere of the talks, adding they focused on issues which should be solved before Croatia was admitted to Euro-Atlantic associations, such as changes to the election law, media democratisation, continued cooperation with The Hague Tribunal and cooperation in the implementation of the Dayton peace agreements. "We share the view that all those issues can be solved relatively quickly and in a simple way", Miljavac said. Albright and Gelbard confirmed America's support for Croatia's membership in the Partnership for Peace programme once the above- mentioned conditions are met. It is only technical questions that
WASHINGTON, May 14 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Pavao
Miljavac on Thursday held separate talks with US Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and a special US envoy for the Balkans, Robert
Gelbard.
Following the talks at the State Department, Miljavac told
reporters he was satisfied with the atmosphere of the talks, adding
they focused on issues which should be solved before Croatia was
admitted to Euro-Atlantic associations, such as changes to the
election law, media democratisation, continued cooperation with
The Hague Tribunal and cooperation in the implementation of the
Dayton peace agreements.
"We share the view that all those issues can be solved relatively
quickly and in a simple way", Miljavac said.
Albright and Gelbard confirmed America's support for Croatia's
membership in the Partnership for Peace programme once the above-
mentioned conditions are met. It is only technical questions that
remain to be solved before Croatia is admitted to the World Trade
Organisation, it was said at the talks.
The message given to Croatian officials at yesterday meetings could
be not to let details be an obstacle to realising an important
strategic goal.
America's positive assessment of Croatia's stand regarding the
Kosovo crisis and the NATO operation was reinforced during the
Washington meeting with a promise that Croatia would be assisted by
international financial institutions, but also through direct US
support, in removing the negative consequences in its economy the
conflict in the region has caused.
Minister Miljavac and members of the Croatian delegation yesterday
morning met with Senators John Warner and Charles Robb, the
president and a member of the Congress committee for armed forces.
It was said during the meeting that Croatia would be able to
purchase a simulation system for education and training of staff
officers.
The Croatian delegation will also meet representatives of the MPRI
company. On Friday, Croatian officials will visit the military
academy in West Point. Four Croatian cadets are attending West
Point, the most renown military academy in the United States.
Since 1994, when the two countries signed a military cooperation
agreement, about 100 Croatian officers have attended the academy.
(hina) rml