ZAGREB, CROATIA - Before the ceremonial dinner at the Presidential Palace, the two presidents, Mesic and Bush, spoke to those present. President Mesic welcomed his guest and stressed that he is the first President ever to visit independent Croatia. 

- Our relations go back deep in the past through the Croatian Community in the USA, the Croatian immigrants in America, from Nikola Tesla to the independent Republic of Dubrovnik, which was one of the first to recognise the young USA – said Mesic.

Bush:  Croatia will become the USA’s closest advisor  

He expressed satisfaction with the Croatian-American relations which, Mesic said, are going upwards. He stressed that Croatia wants to give a friendly hand to everyone who wants to work together with Croatia.

- We want to be friends to everyone around the world, as long as they respect our identity and peculiarity and our national interests – said Mesic at the beginning of his welcoming at the Presidential Palace, wishing George Bush and his wife Laura health and fortune.

The American president thanked Mesic for his welcoming and expressed satisfaction with his arrival in a beautiful country like Croatia. He stressed that during his visit, he celebrates the letter of call from NATO, through which Croatia will become a close adviser of the USA.

- You said that this is a small country, but I am impressed with your big hearts and your great basketball team – he said in his style, smiling at the people gathered at the ceremonial dinner. Bush brought Mesic greetings from the USA and stressed how much he appreciates the struggles of the Croatian troops that helped in the mission in Afghanistan.

After a short stop at the Westin Hotel, the president of the USA, George W. Bush, arrived in Pantovcak St where he was welcomed by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and his wife Milka Mesic. The honorary guard followed Bush until the very entrance of the Presidential Palace.

Welcoming parade

While President Bush held his hand on his heart as the American anthem played, President Mesic did the same on the notes of the Croatian anthem “Moja Domovina”.

President Bush saluted the soldiers in Croatian language “Pozdrav vojnici” (Salute, soldiers), and the soldiers answered “Pozdrav!” (Salute!), everything under the careful eyes of President Mesic.

Later, the two presidents will go to the President’s Office, where they will exchange presents and exchange the first impressions of the visit of enormous importance for Croatia. The present which President Mesic will hand his counterpart is a model of a sail boat, while we still do not know what Bush will give his host.

The First Ladies will have tea together

Meanwhile, the two First Ladies, Laura and Milka, will drink tea together in the library.

After the protocol welcoming, they will all go to the chambers of the Presidential Palace where they will have a ceremonial dinner.

The heads of the two states will be joined by Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sander, the Deputy Prime Ministers, the President of Parliament, Luka Bebic, and many other state and Church officials. Before the very beginning, the presidents will make a toast with the guests.

Along with traditional Dalmatian fish dishes, and superb wine, President Bush will be introduced to some famous public people from the political and public life in Croatia, including Blanka Vlasic, Dino Radja, Ratko Rudic and Slaven Bilic.

Play: ‘Who wants to be the richest oilman’

The meeting with the president of the most powerful country in the world will not be attended by the most famous skier in Croatia, ‘Snow Queen’, Janica Kostelic, nor by basketball player Toni Kukoc. Apart from meeting famous Croatian people, Bush was welcomed by peaceful protesters of Anti-Imperialist organisations in French Republic Square, who have organised a play called ‘'Tko zeli biti najbogatiji naftas' (Who wants to be the richest oilman). Non-governmental organisation Documenti announced a protest which will carried out at 7 p.m. in the centre of Zagreb, in Cvjetni Square.

We remind you that the speech by USA President George W. Bush to the citizens will be held tomorrow in St. Mark's Square.

Read more in the following text:

George Bush Arrives In Croatia

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