The Ambassador

Croatia Has Become A Reliable USA Partner

Robert Bradtke, the U.S. Ambassador, on Sanader's visit to White House and the new turn in bilateral relations

Author: Marina Šerić

Robert A. Bradtke is the new U.S. Ambassador in Croatia. We talked with him about the improvement of relations between the two countries and about the situation at regional and global level. * The relations between USA and Croatia enter a new phase. How do you see the development of those relations in the next period?- I believe that relations between USA and Croatia have passed to a higher level. At first, it could be seen by numerous visits of the highest Croatian government officers to the USA. President Mesić and Prime Minister Sanader were recently in New York as well as the Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. Croatian Defense Minister met with Donald Rumsfeld in Washington, and the visit of Croatian Parliament Delegation has been also scheduled. The crown will be the visit of PM Ivo Sanader to White House and his conversation with President George Bush. It all tells us about enhanced relations based on the progress that Croatia has achieved by political and economic reforms. It has all made Croatia democratically stable and reliable partner. Along with it, Croatia plays an important role at regional and world level.* The President Bush's decision on renewal of military assistance to Croatia has been based on the explanation that particular U.S. national interests are in question. What are those national interests? - The president renewed the military assistance consisting of military officers' education because he assessed that Croatia and other countries help USA in various ways in Afghanistan or elsewhere in the war against terrorism. He considered it very important to renew the assistance in military education in those countries, thus in Croatia as well. When we talk about Croatia, the issue is not only the assistance in Afghanistan, but also the close cooperation in order to approach Croatia to NATO as much as possible. I found it fascinating that the country that had peace forces on its territory just a little more than ten years ago, now sends its soldiers in as much as 11 UN peace operations. Everything that is happening is actually the recognition of Croatia for its efforts. * Does it mean that Croatia has eventually become the USA's completely reliable partner?- Yes, Croatia has become the USA's reliable partner.* For Croatia, the things started moving at the level of NATO admission as well. What do you think are Croatia's chances to join NATO at its summit in two years? - Croatia has made an enormous progress at this level. The Riga Summit in November will not be the enlargement summit, but the one that would make NATO politically stronger and more effective. From now on until 2008, Croatia should follow the path it has started, that is continue with political and economic reforms, war against corruption, work on the reform of justice and implement the armed forces reform in order to act jointly with other NATO members. If Croatia pursuits this path, it will have enormous chances to get the invitation to 2008 summit.* What do you see as the largest obstacle to Croatia's full membership? - We should not talk about obstacles, because Croatia is on the right path. Croatia has just presented to NATO its annual national plan. It is a document listing all Croatia's accomplishments done so far but also Croatia's plans for the next year. However, there is one thing that should be mentioned. It is the question of very low public support to Croatia's joining the NATO. It is low, what is not unusual in this phase of admission process. The public discussion about the importance of NATO membership and its advantages to Croatia was not yet conducted. NATO would like that issue to be tackled too. * PM Ivo Sanader will meet President Bush on Tuesday. One of the announced issues is the anti-terrorist war. What does USA expect from Croatia?- Yes, among the discussion issues are also the Croatia admission to NATO and some regional problems. The anti-terrorist war will include discussions on Croatia's participation in Afghanistan mission and in other peace missions. Concerning other issues, I know from experience that it is hard to predict about what our two leaders will talk about. But I am sure they will talk about bilateral relations as well. A series of bilateral treaties are currently in negotiation process, but the agreements have not been reached yet. I would like that this job is finished in the next few years and that the exchange volume between Croatia and USA increases, especially the students exchange. * There are some very interesting processes currently ongoing in the Southeast Europe. I mean the negotiations on Kosovo status, in particular. What do you expect from Croatia? - These negotiations are in the very important phase. The international mediator Marti Ahtisari announced that the final proposals will be published by the end of the year. It is important that everyone supports his efforts and that both sides, Albanian and Serbian, are encouraged to seriously negotiate and follow Mr. Ahtisari's initiative. The support of his plan by the countries in the region is the most important thing. He will present his solutions to both sides, leading towards definition of Kosovo status. As the leading country in the Southeast Europe, Croatia will definitely have an important role in this process. Primarily, it would have the diplomatic role with objective of persuading the negotiating sides to support the efforts by Marti Ahtisari.

* North Korea

North Korea is not only a threat to the region but also the country that could threaten the struggle against expansion of nuclear armament. It is also the country that gives its rocket technology for non-peaceful uses. We shall need powerful diplomacy and strong international support to make North Korea understand that this time it will not pass unpunished.

* Afghanistan

The world is really a dangerous place. I will start with Afghanistan because Croatia also participates there. I was there a year ago and it is fascinating what happens there. The country went through difficult times, and now for the first time in its history it has democratically elected government and the girls can go to school. Croatia helps there to Afghanistan people.

* About Bosnia and Herzegovina and change of Dayton

There is no efficient government

The U.S. Ambassador in BiH was in Zagreb and talked with relevant government officers about the future of the country. He stressed that government institutions in BiH should be strengthened because BiH currently does not have efficient government. There is a need for institutional changes that would enable easier decision making for implementation of agreements with EU and continuation of negotiations. The U.S. Government and the Croatian Government will cooperate with the new BiH government in order to make the package of changes that would provide the people with government that actually functions.