Croatian Minister of Defense Meets U.S. Secretary of Defense

Washington, July 22 – Minister of Defense of Republic of Croatia Berislav Roncevic held talks today with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on the two countries' cooperation during regular Croatia – U.S. bilateral defense consultations.

Minister Roncevic said that Secretary Rumsfeld positively assessed the reorganization process of Croatian Army and promised that the Pentagon would continue to monitor the organization of the Croatian Armed Force. Secretary Rumsfeld also expressed his conviction Croatia would successfully join NATO.

During the meeting, Croatia received guarantees from the United States that cooperation in training Croatian Army officers in U.S. military schools would continue and the United States has positively reacted to Croatia's initiative regarding the country's non-military involvement in Iraq, Croatian Defense Minister Berislav Roncevic said. "The position of the Croatian government is clear. At this moment Croatia does not plan to militarily participate in Iraq," Roncevic stressed.

He said the talks also focused on the Croatian government offer to join the initiative launched by U.S. President George W. Bush aimed at preventing the spreading of weapons for mass destruction (PSI – Proliferation Security Initiative). Minister Roncevic said Croatia already made contacts regarding that initiative.

Earlier today, Croatian Minister of Defense held talks with U.S. Congressmen George Radanovich and Dana Rohrabacher about the support which U.S. Congressmen to U.S.-Croatia ties.

For more information, please visit Congressman Radanovich's web site: http://www.radanovich.house.gov/