PREMIER RACAN: RELATIONS BETWEEN CRO, U.S. FRIENDLY AND INTENSIVE

ZAGREB, Aug 4 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan in an interview for Croatia's daily "Jutarnji List", Friday's issue, said relations between Croatia and the United States were friendly and intensive. "Relations between Croatia and the United States are really friendly and intensive in many field", said the Croatian Prime Minister and added Croatia was interested in friendly relations with the United States, as well as the United States are interested in good relations with small Croatia, considering the significance of Croatia's role in this region. The Prime Minister stressed President Mesic and him would reiterate Croatia's standpoints, and added they would try to jointly analyse which field of cooperation would be of interest to both countries. Racan also announced, him and President Mesic would visit the United States together in September as well and, along with several ministers, visit important institutions in Washington, namely the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Croatian delegation, headed by President Stipe Mesic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan, will leave for the United States on August 7. During their stay in Washington, between August 7 and 10, the Croatian delegation will hold talks with United States President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Defence Secretary William Cohen and other senior officials as well as with United States investors. (hina) it