Croatia gained a valuable ally with the establishment of a congressional caucus devoted to the Balkan nations's efforts to join NATO and the European Union.
Vladimir Šeks, speaker of the Croatian Parliament, congratulated Reps. George P. Radanovich, California Republican, and Peter J. Visclosky, Indiana Democrat, the caucus co-chairmen, who recruited 41 other House members to form the Croatia bloc last week.
“In my view, the establishment of a congressional Croatian Caucus signifies an important and concrete step toward further strengthening and promotion of political, economic, cultural and other relations among the two friendly countries such as the United States of America and the Republic of Croatia,” Mr. Šeks said.
He noted that the “primary task” of the caucus is to support Croatia’s goals of joining the European Union and the Atlantic military alliance.
“Together with more than 2 million American citizens of Croatia descent, I wish to believe that the Congressional Croatian Caucus shall be a powerful resource in strengthening our mutual relations and encouraging American business people to invest in the Croatian economy, the high potential of which has not been used sufficiently so far,” Mr. Šeks said.
Also last week, Croatian Culture Minister Božo Biškupić signed an agreement with the United States that commits his government to protect historic sites, religious buildings, cemeteries, and memorials.
The caucus co-chairmen joined Mr. Biškupić, Croatian Ambassador Neven Jurica and Mario Zubović, a member of the Croatian Parliament, at the White house signing ceremony.
Mr. Biškupić said his country was responding to concerns raised by American Jews about the destruction of the Jewish heritage in Croatia.
Warren L. Miller, chairman of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, said Croatia “recognizes and is committed to protecting the rights of its ethnic and religious minorities.”
by James Morrison, The Washington Times (Thursday, February 16, 2005)