PM says decision on transloading substances for chemical weapons to be made by government

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said on Thursday that a decision on transloading certain substances for the production of chemical weapons would be made by the government, underlining that he opened this topic because the public must be informed.

This is an operation launched by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United States and not NATO, Milanovic said at the start of the government session on Thursday, adding that Croatia was expected to make its contribution.

"It is expected of us and not demanded, we are being asked to make a small contribution. And this is why some people are a bit annoyed that this is being discussed publicly," the PM said adding that he wanted to inform the public about everything because this decision would not be made behind closed doors.

We would like everyone who has something to say to say it and in the end the decision will be adopted by the government, but people must be informed, Milanovic stressed.

"We must decide whether we will be active members of the international community with a minimum risk or no risk at all, which I claim with full responsibility, and assume responsibility for destroying one evil," he added.

Croatia can turn a deaf ear and continue to live its closed life or it can make a good decision, the PM said. "But in the end, the decision is up to the government. It will not be adopted by civic associations or environmentalists," he reiterated.

Milanovic said on Tuesday that as part of the international efforts for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria, Croatia was taking part in consultations on the possibility of transporting a precursor - a compound that participates in chemical reactions and which consists of chemical toxins - through the Mediterranean.

(Hina)



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