ZAGREB, March 26 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in parliament Wednesday that his government advocated the UN maintaining a central position for decision-making in the international community and that the
revitalisation of the role of the UN should start in Iraq.
ZAGREB, March 26 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said
in parliament Wednesday that his government advocated the UN
maintaining a central position for decision-making in the
international community and that the revitalisation of the role of
the UN should start in Iraq. #L#
Presenting a government's report on the Iraqi crisis, Racan said in
parliament that the UN should have a leading role in the
reconstruction of Iraq in order to ensure independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country.
The Croatian government advocates the continuation of dialogue in
the international community, which is a precondition for the
preservation and strengthening of the international order, the
consolidation of transatlantic cooperation, the unity of the EU and
the stability in Europe and the world, Racan said.
He added that Croatia, as an active member of the anti-terrorist
coalition, advocated preventing the expansion of weapons of mass
destruction. Racan said the Croatian government had taken all
measures to prevent possible negative implications of the Iraq
crisis for Croatia.
Commenting on the dissatisfaction of representatives of the United
States and other friendly countries about Croatia's anti-war
policy, Racan reminded that Croatian citizens advocated a peaceful
solution to the crisis because they had recently experienced war
destruction, aggression and suffering.
"Friendly countries can and must understand this," Racan said and
reminded that Croatia was a democratic country in an extremely
unstable region. He said Croatia wanted to contribute to the
stability in the region.
Ahead of the military operation launched by the United States and
the allies, bearing in mind the clear stance of its public, the
Croatian government expressed regret about the fact that the Iraqi
crisis was not being solved by diplomatic means, despite efforts of
the international community. The government was also disappointed
with a lack of unity in the Security Council and the EU. The
government did not support the US military operation because it was
not approved by the Security Council, Racan said. "Had the Security
Council passed a positive decision, Croatia would have supported
it. As a UN member, Croatia respects the Security Council's
decisions and it does not treat them selectively, namely Croatia
does not respect only those decisions which suit it," Racan said.
The premier added that Croatia's hope that this would be a short-
lasting war was not coming true.
He voiced concern about humanitarian consequences of the war in
Iraq and called on the world's public to respect humanitarian
rights in order to avoid the suffering of citizens and prisoners of
war.
"Croatia is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Iraq and
contribute to securing peace and the democratic reconstruction of
the country," Racan said.
He said the world would continue to face the problem of terrorism,
possibly even more so after the Iraqi crisis, said Racan and once
again called for international cooperation.
(hina)