US GOVERNMENT HELPS CROATIAN NON-GOVT ORGANISATIONS

ZAGREB, Sept 23 (Hina) - US Ambassador to Croatia William Montgomery on Thursday presented on behalf of the US Government financial help to seven Croatian non-government organisations. #L# Montgomery said the role of non-government organisations was very important for the United States and him personally. The US$356,000-worth aid was given to seven non-government organisations - the women's organisation Babe, the association for peace and human rights from the eastern Croatian region of Baranja - Biopa, CERANEO (Centre for Development of Non-Profit Organisations) from Rijeka, Eko Centar Insulae Beli from the island of Cres, which cares for the protection of griffon, Green Action, Mi, and Prijatelj. The US ambassador said there was no government on earth which had so much creativity, commitment, and imagination as non-government organisations did, adding those organisations were extremely important in developing civil society. Montgomery welcomed the decision by the Office of the Croatian Government for Non-Government Organisations to cooperate with those organisations, publish information about their work, and provide them with assistance. According to Montgomery, the seven organisations that have been chosen were among 155 candidates, and criteria for their selection were their cooperation with municipal and local authorities and their wish for strengthening that cooperation. The selection process also included Croatian experts on human rights, environmental protection, and civil society. Also, all seven organisations underwent revision which showed that they are equal to similar organisations in the United States. The US government assistance programme also includes the training of 17 Croatian "coaches", who will be working on the whole of Croatia's territory in organising non-government organisations and establishing regional centres for supporting their activities. (hina) jn rml