CROATIAN GOVERNMENT

With the presence of Liberals in the new Croatian government, I thought this would be of some interest to British Liberal Democrats, as well as pointing the way forward for relations with Croatia and a warning about the UK Serb lobby:

Liberal Democrat News No. 594

14 January 2000

 

The recent elections in Croatia have produced a coalition government consisting of the Social Democratic Party and - pleasingly - the Croatian Social Liberal Party. This means a Central European country will have Liberals as an equal partner in government. Indeed, Drazen Budisa, the leader of the Croatian Social and Liberal Party will the coalition's candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections.

This new government should be supported by an invitation to join NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and access to the EU's aid programme, Phare - with EU membership being offered.

The Serb lobby oppose such ideas. This lobby pressed for the non-recognition of Slovenia and Croatia and the arms embargo with the result being one third of Croatia and 70% of Bosnia being occupied as part of the barbaric 'Greater Serbia' land grab. Disturbingly they continue to have success.

The new government provides an opportunity for Britain, the EU and Croatia to forge a constructive relationship that has not existed previously. The opportunity must be grasped with vigour.

 

Brian Gallagher

London