ZAGREB, January 4, 2019 - Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said on Thursday it was Israel's responsibility to secure final permission from the US for Croatia to sign a contract on the purchase of F-16 Barak fighter jets, adding that neither he nor his team had done anything against Croatia's interests.
"Regarding responsibility, I think that neither I nor my team, with any action, have done something against Croatia's interests," Krstičević told reporters when asked if he still had Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's confidence.
Krstičević said he was willing to step down any time if his resignation would help Croatia in the purchase of the multipurpose fighter jets.
He said it was Israel's responsibility to secure final permission so Croatia could sign the contract. "How could I have known? They put in the papers and all the documents that it's their responsibility. Should I now be responsible for the action of a third party?" he said, adding that he was willing to resign.
Asked to comment on Plenković's statement that it was necessary to establish responsibility and examine details before adopting decisions, Krstičević said he agreed that, after this process was over, it was necessary to make analyses, see which lessons were learned and review all the circumstances.
"I believe that after this, the government, with me or someone else in it, will continue to look for a solution. Croatian pilots and Croatia's skies deserve multipurpose fighter jets. Sooner or later these planes, whether new or old, will be in Croatia. I believe this process has contributed to that."
Krstičević said that after receiving a more thorough statement from Israel, he would inform the public. He recalled that as the seller, Israel undertook the obligation to obtain the US administration's approval for the transfer of the fighter jets to Croatia. "That's solely Israel's obligation."
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