This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000824
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM HR IZ
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: GOC STATEMENT ON THE FALL OF IRAQI REGIME
1. ON APRIL 11, THE GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA ISSUED A
STATEMENT COMMENTING ON THE FALL OF BAGHDAD AND THE
COLLAPSE OF THE IRAQI REGIME. THE STATEMENT (FULL TEXT
BELOW) HAILS THE END OF THE REGIME AS A CHANCE FOR THE
FUTURE OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE, AS WELL AS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT
OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION. THE STATEMENT ALSO
REITERATES CROATIA'S WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TO
RECONSTRUCTION AND CALLS FOR A UN ROLE IN ASSURING HUMAN
RIGHTS PROTECTION IN POST-CONFLICT IRAQ.
2. BEGIN TEXT OF GOC STATEMENT:
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ASSESSES THE FALL
OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DICTATORSHIP REGIME AS A GOOD CHANCE
FOR THE FUTURE OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE, AS WELL AS FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE WIDER REGION.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA HOPES THAT
MILITARY OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS THE SUFFERING OF IRAQI
CITIZENS, ALLIANCE SOLDIERS, JOURNALISTS, AND OTHER
VICTIMS, WILL SOON BE OVER.
IN THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES IN IRAQ, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
PUBLIC PEACE AND ORDER, THE TRUE PROTECTION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS, AND THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN
WHICH THE UN SHOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE, IS OF CRUCIAL
IMPORTANCE. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
EXPECTS IRAQ TO BE CONSTITUTED AS A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY WITH
THE RULE OF LAW, WHICH WILL ENABLE A PEACEFUL AND DIGNIFIED
LIFE TO ALL ITS CITIZENS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA PASSED A DECISION
ON APRIL 3, 2002 ON SENDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO
IRAQ'S WAR-AFFECTED POPULATION IN THE AMOUNT OF 20 MILLION
KUNA, AND ARRANGEMENTS ABOUT ITS SPEEDY DELIVERY AND
DISTRIBUTION ARE CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED. THE GOVERNMENT
REITERATES THE WILLINGNESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA TO
PARTICIPATE IN REMOVING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR AND IN
THE ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ.
END TEXT.
ROSSIN
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