WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Hina) - The United States should take concrete steps towards re-affirming the relationship with Croatia as "a trustworthy and stable ally" in the region of South-Eastern Europe, fourteen (14) U.S. Congressmen wrote
in their letter to the U.S. President Bill Clinton. According to the letter forwarded to Clinton on Tuesday, "the U.S. must have a reliable partner in this strategic region if it hopes to prevent future crises" like the aggression against Croatia, the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the recent conflict in Kosovo. "Croatia has long let it be known that it is willing to serve as a trustworthy and stable ally, and we believe that the U.S. should take significant steps towards re-affirming that relationship," read the letter. The fourteen Congressmen maintained that one of steps in that direction would be the admittance of the Republic of Croatia into the Partnership for Pe
WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Hina) - The United States should take concrete
steps towards re-affirming the relationship with Croatia as "a
trustworthy and stable ally" in the region of South-Eastern Europe,
fourteen (14) U.S. Congressmen wrote in their letter to the U.S.
President Bill Clinton.
According to the letter forwarded to Clinton on Tuesday, "the U.S.
must have a reliable partner in this strategic region if it hopes to
prevent future crises" like the aggression against Croatia, the war
in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the recent conflict in Kosovo.
"Croatia has long let it be known that it is willing to serve as a
trustworthy and stable ally, and we believe that the U.S. should
take significant steps towards re-affirming that relationship,"
read the letter.
The fourteen Congressmen maintained that one of steps in that
direction would be the admittance of the Republic of Croatia into
the Partnership for Peace. They assessed that Croatia had met all
conditions for its entry into that programme of NATO, and even
excelled some member-countries in many segments.
They also informed Clinton that one of objections - referring to the
return of dislocated persons - did not stand any longer. They
reiterated that according to figures released by the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, one fourth of
Croatian Serb refugees had returned to Croatia, and the return was
going on.
"Croatia has emerged as one of the most vocal advocates of the
Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe," and shown its
commitments to democracy, stability and peace, the Congressmen
wrote adding that during processes of admitting Croatia into
international institutions, this country should be treated
according to its own merits.
The fourteen Congressmen - George Radanovich (Republican,
California), Tom Barrett (R, New England), Jennifer Dunn (R,
Washington), Phil English (R, Pennsylvania), Jay Inslee (Democrat,
Washington), Peter King (R, New York), Steve La Tourette (R, Ohio),
Bill Luther (D, Minnesota), Frank Mascara (D, Pennsylvania), Jim
McDermott (D, Washington), James Rogan (R, California), Tom Sawyer
(D, Ohio), Bruce Vento (D, Minnesota) and Peter Visclosky (D,
Indiana) called on President Clinton "to undertake serious
consideration of Croatia's admittance to the Partnership for Peace
program, thus providing the U.S and NATO with a reliable political,
military and economic ally in strengthening U.S interests" in
South-Eastern Europe.
(hina) ms