ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The United States and the western countries +are ready to help if Croatia decides on inclusion in the Euro-+Atlantic institution, announced William Montgomery the United +States ambassador to Croatia.+
Montgomery held a lecture on Monday night at the student forum on +Croatian-American relations. The US ambassador believes that +Croatia needs to hasten its democratisation, stressing that +western countries have a lot of patience but the question is do +Croatians have the patience. Montgomery said that this is the +response to Croatian Government officials who demand time and +patience for democratisation and the process of transition.+ The US ambassador asserted that the Croatian economy is facing many +difficulties. New work places are not being created, factories are +not being built, and the living expenses for the average citizen are +too high. + Economic devel
ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The United States and the western countries
are ready to help if Croatia decides on inclusion in the Euro-
Atlantic institution, announced William Montgomery the United
States ambassador to Croatia.
Montgomery held a lecture on Monday night at the student forum on
Croatian-American relations. The US ambassador believes that
Croatia needs to hasten its democratisation, stressing that
western countries have a lot of patience but the question is do
Croatians have the patience. Montgomery said that this is the
response to Croatian Government officials who demand time and
patience for democratisation and the process of transition.
The US ambassador asserted that the Croatian economy is facing many
difficulties. New work places are not being created, factories are
not being built, and the living expenses for the average citizen are
too high.
Economic development in war stricken areas has not begun,
privatisation is not transparent and State-run companies are not
being passed-on to people who do not plan to re-invest but rather
deprive it of its assets. Foreign investors are being discouraged
so as not to create competition for local businessmen.
Montgomery added that the bank system is also unsatisfactory,
adding that no consequences have been foreseen for those
individuals who approved suspicious loans, pointing out the
Dubrovacka banka affair.
Finally the Government and the leading political party wish to
retain direct control over the major part of the economy therefore
they are reaching decisions on the ground of non-economic reasons.
Relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) and Croatia also require
transparency. Montgomery warned that without great participation
of Bosnian Croats, the Federation would not succeed, either would
the Dayton Accord.
There are a series of facts which point to Croatia abiding to the
Dayton Agreement, but unfortunately Bosnian Croats are being told
they have another alternative - Greater Croatia, Montgomery
noted.
The US Ambassador warned that western representatives in charge of
the implementation of the Dayton Accord believe that Croatia is
part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
Relations between the Croatian army and the Croatian Defence
Council (HVO) in Bosnia-Herzegovina are completely non-
transparent which includes an annual payment of approximately
US$75 to US$100 million.
Finally in the context of Croatian-Bosnian relations Montgomery
stressed that Croats who never lived in Croatia have the right to
vote simultaneously in Croatia and BH.
Montgomery believes it is very likely that Bosnian Croats in the
next elections in Croatia will decide who will win the elections.
(hina) it jn/ab