After visiting Divulje (outside Split) Mesic told reporters that the streamlining of the army, which was necessary not only for Croatia's plans to enter NATO but also because of the country itself, was done in the best way.
"When we finished the Homeland War, we had to reorganise the army," said Mesic, who is also the Armed Forces' Supreme Commander, adding that he was dissatisfied only with those who took over buildings and facilities which the army had not needed any more but who failed to use those premises to the benefit of local communities.
In this context he pointed to the case of the Dracevac barracks (also near Split) which were two years ago transferred to the jurisdiction of local authorities but who gave it back to the Defence Ministry which now has to cover costs for the maintenance of those empty barracks.
He voiced satisfaction with co-ordination of activities between the army and fire-fighting units this summer.
Asked by reporters about Croatia's role in the war on terrorism, Mesic answered that the country was a loyal member of the United Nations and the anti-terrorist coalition and that it wanted to be useful in the efforts aimed at countering terrorism. Croatia will take part in those efforts according to its ability and when such operations are organised by the UN, he explained.
Commenting on the former Soviet Union's debt of 185 million dollars to Croatia, which should be settled under the debt clearance scheme, the head of state said that he would like to see that money being invested in a thermo-electric power plant, and the rest in Russian planes which would be delivered to Croatia and in mine-clearance operations.
Asked whether his tours over Croatia were in connection of the campaign ahead of the coming presidential election, he said all his decisions and work he had done since the very first day of his term in office were an election campaign.