ZAGREB, May 19 (Hina) - A delegation of the Croatian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence will next week visit the NATO Headquarters in order to discuss issues concerning the disposal of unused NATO bombs in the international
waters of the Adriatic Sea.The delegation will also request that the bombs be removed upon the completion of the NATO action, Foreign Minister Mate Granic said during question time at the Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives on Wednesday. The Lower House today started its 40th session. Asked by Damir Kajin (Istrian Democratic Assembly, IDS) about the disposal of unused bombs in the international waters of the Adriatic, Granic reiterated that upon learning about it, the Croatian Government immediately requested and received an answer from NATO. The reply was that such actions were taken in extreme cases and in zones which had been previously determined for that
ZAGREB, May 19 (Hina) - A delegation of the Croatian Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and Defence will next week visit the NATO
Headquarters in order to discuss issues concerning the disposal of
unused NATO bombs in the international waters of the Adriatic Sea.
The delegation will also request that the bombs be removed upon the
completion of the NATO action, Foreign Minister Mate Granic said
during question time at the Croatian National Sabor's House of
Representatives on Wednesday.
The Lower House today started its 40th session.
Asked by Damir Kajin (Istrian Democratic Assembly, IDS) about the
disposal of unused bombs in the international waters of the
Adriatic, Granic reiterated that upon learning about it, the
Croatian Government immediately requested and received an answer
from NATO. The reply was that such actions were taken in extreme
cases and in zones which had been previously determined for that
purpose.
Croatia has protested and will continue to protest against NATO
planes' breaking the sound barrier above inhabited areas, Granic
added.
The NATO operation in Yugoslavia has caused extensive damage to
Croatia's economy, amounting to more than US$1.7 billion, Premier
Zlatko Matesa said, answering a question by Vlado Jukic (Croatian
Party of Rights, HSP).
The international community should in compensating Croatia for the
damage, Matesa said, adding though he was not optimistic.
The three-year-long experience with the international community in
reconstruction and donors' conferences has shown that many things
had been promised but few were actually granted, he added.
Considering its level of democratic development or the state of its
armed forces, Croatia should be in the Partnership for Peace.
However, this is a political decision which will be adopted when the
international community deems it favourable, Matesa said,
answering Jukic's question regarding the process of Croatia's
integration into the Partnership for Peace.
The perception of Croatia as a safe country is what can bring
tourism back to Croatia, Matesa said speaking about the situation
in tourism. The Government supports the programme of Tourism
Minister Ivan Herak, which contains measures for promotion and
incentives. The incentives refer to the rescheduling and a
moratorium on obligations of hotel companies. A program like this
one has already been drawn up for central Dalmatia and another one
is being prepared for southern Croatia, the Premier said.
Answering a question by Srecko Bijelic (Croatian People's Party,
HNS), Matesa said the Government would soon send to the Parliament a
strategy of economic development, which would represent a good
basis for parliamentary discussion.
(hina) rml