ZAGREB, Croatia — We are waiting in St. Mark's Square for President Bush to speak to about 6,000 people, in celebration of Croatia and Albania's invitation this week to join NATO.
I spoke to a few people about NATO membership and George Bush, and all of them had positive things to say about Mr. Bush, though two young men I talked to said younger folks don't really care that much about NATO.
But Eugen Vlasic, a 30-year old military officer, said that today is "one of the most important days in our short history."
Joining NATO, Mr. Vlasic said, "gives us stability."
"The world's uniting," he said. "It's necessary to be integrated into NATO. It gives us security and independence. It's hard for us Croatians to stand alone in the global world."
Romana Bilesic, a reporter for 24 Sata, a Croatian newspaper, agreed, and said 70 percent of Croatians support joining NATO.
"It's a big day for us," she said. "NATO is a good thing for Croatia and we are proud we’ll be a member. We are a very small country, but America is a friend."
Vjekoslav Vukovic, 71, a retiree who grew up in then Yugoslavia and fled the communist regime in 1962, now lives in Frankfurt but spends half the year in Zagreb at his second home.
Mr. Vukovic (pictured at right holding the Croatian and American flags) called himself "strongly anti-communist" and said he likes Mr. Bush.
"I respect Bush and think he is a good man," he said through an interpreter.
"I am hardworking and I went to Germany, and I experienced what it was like to work hard. People who didn't experience this and stayed here don't work so hard," Mr. Vukovic said. "I am a supporter of this Western view that emphasizes hard work."
Ivan Novosalac, 21, and Peter Novak, 23, both police officers, said NATO membership was not a big deal to them but that they both like Mr. Bush.
"Most old people think the politics of George Bush are not so good with all the war and Iraq, but I think the things he is doing are good," Mr. Novak said.
Iraq, Mr. Novosalac said, is "not good," but said he likes Mr. Bush because "he is democratic."
— Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times
Comments (2)
I hate any muslim that wants to run us off our Serbian land. I am just sad that I am in the U.S.A. where it has become dangerous to be a serb. But we will fight here - we will destroy the eveil when we need to. I love my President, but I hate our Muslim enemies, and I am sad that the Serbs are being murdered.
I hate evil. We must destroy eveil.
God Bless President Bush and God Bless America and Happy Easter. God Bless Serbia. Montenegro.
Posted by Radulovich | April 6, 2008 4:59 AM
People who have experienced communism and other crushing forms of government rule that destroy personal freedom respect what President Bush is trying to accomplish in Iraq. The liberals in America do not understand the principals of hard work or personal responsibility, they seek the solace of sleeping under big governments wing.
Posted by R. Woods | April 6, 2008 8:48 AM