KRAPINA, May 28 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Wednesday afternoon refused to participate in what he referred to as calculations that the U.S. had rejected in advance that Croatia could be a country to obtain presidential
exemption, i.e. that it could be excused from signing a bilateral agreement with the U.S. on the non-extradition of U.S. citizens to the International Criminal Court.
KRAPINA, May 28 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Wednesday
afternoon refused to participate in what he referred to as
calculations that the U.S. had rejected in advance that Croatia
could be a country to obtain presidential exemption, i.e. that it
could be excused from signing a bilateral agreement with the U.S. on
the non-extradition of U.S. citizens to the International Criminal
Court. #L#
During his visit to Krapina-Zagorje County, the PM said there was
too much guessing and combinations going on about such a serious
topic.
"The Croatian government is trying to solve the problem without
raising any disputes and, if possible, do not narrow our
manoeuvring space," Racan told reporters.
The U.S. has foreseen sanctions for those countries that fail to
sign the agreement by July 1 - namely it will withdraw its military
assistance. Should the U.S. president asses it to be in America's
national interest, he can excuse a particular country from signing
the agreement and thereby save it from sanctions. The EU is opposed
to signing such an agreement.
Racan said that he had spoken to officials from the European
Commission and that he was aware of the EC's opinion on the matter
and what was expected of Croatia.
(Hina) sp it sb