U.S. Media about Rumsfeld's visit to Croatia

Washington, February 9 - The U.S. press reported on visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to Zagreb as a sign of support for Croatia's admission to NATO.

Secretary Rumsfeld visited Zagreb on February 8 and met with Croatian Prime Minister Dr. Ivo Sanader and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic.

The New York Times reports that Rumsfeld visited Croatia to support its efforts to join NATO and give credit to Croatian forces for taking part in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

The Washington Post reports that Rumsfeld commended Croatia's efforts to reduce and reorganize its army, thanked for its contribution to the fight against terrorism, and supported its aspirations to join NATO.

Both papers report that the visit is the first visit of a US official to Croatia since the visit of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2000 and the Croatian Democratic Union's return to power three months ago.

Both papers also note that the government of Ivo Sanader had accepted a pro-American foreign policy.