“Tadić to mediate in Croatia-Slovenia dispute”

U.S. and UK have put forth an initiative to have Serbian President Boris Tadic take an active role in promoting the Slovenia-Croatia border arbitration deal. This is according to Croatia's Rijeka-based daily Novi List, which writes that such a choice was made as Tadic was “the most influential political figure in the region”. “Tadic to mediate in Croatia-Slovenia dispute” The newspaper also said that “American and British diplomats think that Tadic could have a positive effect on the Slovenian referendum regarding the agreement, which will take place on June 6, but also on Croatia's accession into the EU, while the British point out that it could win Tadic another term as president”. According to Novi List, British ambassadors to Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia informed Croatia's Secretary of State Davor Bozinovic about the idea at a formal lunch last week. Bozinovic, however, was skeptical about the idea, reports the daily. Novi List also writes that U.S. Ambassador to Croatia James Foley “supported the idea”. Reaction in Slovenia Meanwhile, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said that he would be “happy if Serbian President Boris Tadic wants to help with the arbitration agreement between Slovenia and Croatia”, but that Slovenia will resolve the issue on its own. “We have managed to reach a deal that both Croats and Slovenians could accept. In the end, our people will decide guided by their own conscience,” Pahor said responding to media speculation. Slovenian citizens would settle the issue at the referendum, Pahor explained. He added that everyone who could help with the arbitration had already done so and that it was now up to the people to decide.

“Tadić to mediate in Croatia-Slovenia dispute”

The newspaper also said that “American and British diplomats think that Tadić could have a positive effect on the Slovenian referendum regarding the agreement, which will take place on June 6, but also on Croatia's accession into the EU, while the British point out that it could win Tadić another term as president”.

According to Novi List, British ambassadors to Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia informed Croatia's Secretary of State Davor Božinović about the idea at a formal lunch last week.

Božinović, however, was skeptical about the idea, reports the daily.

Novi List also writes that U.S. Ambassador to Croatia James Foley “supported the idea”.

Reaction in Slovenia

Meanwhile, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said that he would be “happy if Serbian President Boris Tadić wants to help with the arbitration agreement between Slovenia and Croatia”, but that Slovenia will resolve the issue on its own.

“We have managed to reach a deal that both Croats and Slovenians could accept. In the end, our people will decide guided by their own conscience,” Pahor said responding to media speculation.

Slovenian citizens would settle the issue at the referendum, Pahor explained.

He added that everyone who could help with the arbitration had already done so and that it was now up to the people to decide.