ZAGREB, Croatia -- Vowing to help transform Croatia into a "democratic and successful" society, Stipe Mesic took his presidential oath today before 70 top foreign dignitaries -- the largest and most prominent international gathering in the country's nine-year history.
Their presence testified to the vast improvement in Croatia's relations with the outside world following a wave of democratic renewal capped by Mesic's election to succeed the late Franjo Tudjman, who led Croatia to independence in 1991 and ruled it until his death in December.Mesic, 65, said he was "honored" to greet so many foreign officials.
"Your presence is yet another gesture of the broad international support to (Croatia's) policy of democratic changes," Mesic said in a brief speech following the inauguration ceremony. "Croatia is once again welcomed to the democratic institutions of Europe and the world. I thank you for that."
He emphasized that "everybody here wants Croatia to become a genuinely democratic society."
"Let's open the new course for Croatia, Croatia as a democratic and successful country," Mesic said.
He reiterated the country's main goals of joining Western institutions such as the European Union and NATO.
"I ask all of our friends (abroad) to be give us support and be our partners on that path," Mesic said.
Just three months ago, many of the countries represented today were turning their backs on this former Yugoslav country of 4.8 million to protest Tudjman's authoritarian rule and nationalistic policies. Only low-ranking international officials were sent to Tudjman's funeral.
The shift among Western governments came as soon as Croats dumped Tudjman's party from power in the Jan. 3 parliamentary elections, voting in a center-left coalition that pledged to bring democratic reforms and cooperate with the West.
The Feb. 7 victory of Mesic, who vowed to put an end to Tudjman's controversial policy in Bosnia and his disregard for minority and human rights, was further welcomed in the West.
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright arrived today for the second time in only two weeks. Germany, Britain and Israel sent senior foreign ministry officials, while the presidents of Austria, Romania, Czech Republic, Poland and eight other countries attended the ceremony.
The EU sent its external affairs commissioner, Chris Patten. World Bank and IMF officials also attended.
Mesic said Croatia's new leadership "will respect Croatia's international obligations."
He also pledged to "do all" to help ease the return of Serb refugees, whom Tudjman's government was reluctant to accept. That reluctance, and Tudjman's support of Bosnian Croats who sought to annex part of Bosnia into Croatia, brought the country to political and economic isolation.
Western governments hope that democratic changes here would serve as an example for neighboring Serbia and Bosnia.
Demonstrating his resolve for change, Mesic refused to wear the presidential sash that often decorated Tudjman's chest and his speech lasted only 10 minutes -- a mere fraction of Tudjman's usual public addresses.
Mesic was Croatia's representative in the Yugoslav collective presidency in 1991, when the federation began disintegrating. One of Tudjman's closest aides, Mesic parted with him in 1994 to protest Tudjman's Bosnian policies.
He joined the small opposition People's Party, which now participates in the government.