PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Friday, October 19, 2001

NOT FOREIGN TO US

Ambassadors' visit underlines a link to Croatia

The visit to Pittsburgh Wednesday and Thursday of the Croatian ambassador to the United States and the US ambassador to Croatia spotlights the special ties that exist between Pittsburgh and that Balkan nation.

Croatia's capital, Zagreb, is one of 12 cities in the world with which Pittsburgh has a sister City relationship. As many as 300,000 Pittsburghers may have antecedents from Croatia. The country is a vigorous democracy, and it is 76 percent Catholic.

Croatia has successfully navigated a rough road since its independence was reborn in 1991 in the context of the violent breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Citing the names of some of the countries that border Croatia - Bosnia/herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro - is sufficient to illustrate the toughness of the neighborhood.

The Croatians have made the bard choices. Croatia's leaders have assessed correctly that the country's economic future lies with the European Union and the NATO alliance. The majority of Croatia's trade is with the EU countries. Difficult for the Croatians, the price of the ticket includes major rearrangements of the country's economy, particularly the privatization of its former socialist Yugoslavia industries, producing short-term unemployment.

Joining NATO is the only feasible long-term guarantee of the security of the West Virginia-size nation of 4,3 million people. But before it can enter the alliance, Croatia must undertake expenditures to make its forces compliant with NATO standards and agree to turn over to international tribunals military and other figures who might have committed war crimes during the 1991-95 period. Some of those accused are viewed by many Croatians as heroes in a war of independence. Difficult as it will be domestically, Croatia's leaders seem willing to meet both requirements.

The Croatians don't want charity. They want Pittsburgh-based companies to look at promising investment opportunities in Croatia. They want Pittsburghers and other Americans to visit their country. Responding to that request would not be a chore. The country - particularly the Dalmatian coast - is rich in natural beauty, and the history and culture of Croatia are fascinating, even to those who don't trace their ancestry there.