ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - Milan Panic, a former Yugoslav premier (1992-1993) and US businessman, on Monday asked Croatian President Stipe Mesic to help Serbia join the European Union. Mesic, who received Panic at his office in Zagreb,
said this would be possible only after the democratisation of Serbia and after Milosevic stepped down.
ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - Milan Panic, a former Yugoslav premier
(1992-1993) and US businessman, on Monday asked Croatian President
Stipe Mesic to help Serbia join the European Union.
Mesic, who received Panic at his office in Zagreb, said this would
be possible only after the democratisation of Serbia and after
Milosevic stepped down. #L#
Today's meeting at the President's Office focused on the break-up
of Yugoslavia and the consequences of that process. President Mesic
said it was Milosevic's policy which prevented a peaceful break-up
of the former Yugoslav federation.
Mesic and Panic also discussed Croatia's admission to the European
Union and NATO, the possibility for Serbia to take the same path one
day and the economic recovery of the region.
"Croatia's future is the European Union, but that is Serbia's
future as well after Milosevic steps down. If Mesic manages to lead
Croatia into the EU, that will be the greatest historical event for
Croatia. It will be even better if he helps Serbs achieve the same
goal," Panic said.
Mesic said Croatia accepted Milosevic's stepping down only if it
meant he would have no political future. "He should sit in The
Hague. That is his future," Mesic said.
The former Yugoslav premier also believes that Croats and Serbs
must overcome their past.
"The culprits and the tragedies caused by sick nationalists should
not be forgotten. Our generation has almost destroyed the Balkans,
but we have to secure prosperity and peace for new generations,"
Panic added.
Asked whether he saw himself in Serbia's political life in the
future, Panic said he was not politically oriented.
"I can best help my homeland if I tell them the truth. I have the
courage to say that I am against any political extremism. I want to
help in the replacement of Milosevic's regime. That is not a regime,
that is a clique. With Milosevic in power, there can be no free
elections, free media or anything free. A democratic opposition
cannot develop in such conditions," Panic said.
Panic said his business plans in Croatia were already being
realised because his pharmaceutical corporation ICN
Pharmaceuticals was annually selling products in Croatia worth
between US$150,000 and 200,000.
(hina) rml