Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic told the government in Zagreb that this did not mean the abolishment of conscription.
Possible suspension means that if security estimates are positive and if there are no threats of war, conscripts will not be drafted.
Suspension can be expected as of 2008.
In case of serious security threats, the President of the Republic can decide on reintroducing compulsory military service. Such a decision, countersigned by the Prime Minister, will be submitted to the parliament to okay it.
Under the draft amendments, the government will have a final say on the engagement of Croatian troops in international military exercises outside Croatia within international defence organisations whose member Croatia is or plans to be (for instance, NATO).
Decisions on the participation of other countries' soldiers in providing humanitarian assistance to Croatia would also be within the government's remit.
The parliament would decide on the participation of Croatian soldiers in military exercises abroad involving countries that are not members of international military organisations and on military exercises in Croatia involving nonmembers of international military organisations.
The draft amendments also ban retired officers and noncommissioned officers from wearing military uniforms if their behaviour damages the Armed Forces' reputation.