ZAGREB, Jan 31 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic reiterated on Friday that the country's security was not in jeopardy. There are no problems in the Croatian army relating to any process of its reorganisation, she
said, refuting speculations about the bad situation in the Croatian Armed Forces.
ZAGREB, Jan 31 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic
reiterated on Friday that the country's security was not in
jeopardy. There are no problems in the Croatian army relating to any
process of its reorganisation, she said, refuting speculations
about the bad situation in the Croatian Armed Forces. #L#
The armed forces system is completely secure and stable, which is
proven by all official reports as well as other assessments and
analyses based on which the combat readiness of armed forces is
established, said Antunovic.
She refuted claims that speculations about the bad situation in the
army had been started due to dissatisfaction in its reorganisation
or a change in salaries.
The minister said that such claims had been launched for the first
time after some fifteen senior officers -- generals and admirals --
had been retired.
Despite claims that after they left the Croatian army would be left
with low quality staff, it has been proven that Croatia has younger
people who are able to replace the former officers and prepare
trained soldiers, who will in turn replace them when their
retirement time comes, Antunovic said.
She said that the retirement of the highest officers had proven to
be a crucial moment, that is, the beginning of a "continued process"
of replacing officers which was normal for every army.
The task of the Armed Forces leadership is to carry equipment and
manpower to the level of a modern, technologically equipped army,
prepared to join international activities and associations, she
added.
The problem of technical underdevelopment in relation to NATO
standards has begun to be resolved and the intention is to increase
investments into modernisation and decrease investments for
salaries, which will be accomplished by lowering the number of
employees, she said.
The aim is to get a smaller but better equipped professional army,
most probably with no conscripts, said Antunovic and added that a
study on the professionalisation of the Croatian army was expected
to be completed by the middle of this year.
(hina) lml sb