Relations between Croatia and the United States have always been those of partnership and co-operation...

The relations between Croatia and the United States have always been those of partnership and co-operation. Sometimes friends disagree on certain issues, but this does not affect their co-operation, nor their agreement on other issues.

The statement of American Ambassador Rossin does come as a certain disappointment, but it should be viewed within the context of the current political situation. The Croatian Government expects the relations between Croatia and the US to continue to develop along the same path of mutual interest and benefit. So far, the co-operation between the two countries has been steadily increasing, and all the contentious issues have always been solved directly and to mutual satisfaction, and not through media.

Croatia's position on the Iraqi crisis is well known to all. Croatia supports the military intervention in Iraq, but only if it follows the respective Security Council's resolution, and is prepared to fulfil all the assumed obligations. Croatia is prepared to take part in the activities of the International Antiterrorist Coalition, and will meet all the obligations the Croatian Government assumed on 24 February.

Croatia is also willing to participate in the post-conflict normalisation and reconstruction of Iraq, and is considering taking part in humanitarian activities as well, once the military intervention begins. Croatia, like most other countries, does not consider expressing its position on Iraq a matter of taking sides with either the US or the EU. Croatia places great importance on establishing relations with all democratically oriented countries, and strongly advocates a stabile transatlantic partnership.

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