Croatia

On Wednesday, June 1, 2005, the United States and the Republic of Croatia signed a reciprocal Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Shipboarding Agreement. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister, Division for Multilateral Affairs & International Organizations Tomislav Vidoševiæ signed the agreement on behalf of Croatia. Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control Stephen G. Rademaker signed on behalf of the United States....The shipboarding agreement signed by the U.S. and Croatia will facilitate cooperation between the two countries to prevent the maritime transfer of proliferation-related shipments by establishing points of contact and procedures to expedite requests to board and search suspect vessels in international waters. If a U.S.- or Croatian-flagged vessel is suspected of carrying proliferation-related cargo, either Party to this agreement can request the other to confirm the nationality of the ship in question and, if needed, to authorize the boarding, search, and possible detention of the vessel and its cargo. -- Statement by Spokesman Richard Boucher, June 1, 2005