ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - "Croatia's defence potential and security are intact", Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic said after a session of the parliamentary committee on internal affairs and national security on Wednesday evening, adding
that "the Armed Forces are ready to meet all of their constitutional tasks".
ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - "Croatia's defence potential and security
are intact", Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic said after a session
of the parliamentary committee on internal affairs and national
security on Wednesday evening, adding that "the Armed Forces are
ready to meet all of their constitutional tasks". #L#
"Insinuations about instability, disorder and disrupted relations
in the Armed Forces are mere speculations," Antunovic told
reporters after the four-hour session.
The discussion on the security situation in the army had been
requested by the Croatian Party of Rights/Croatian Christian
Democratic Union (HSP/HKDU) bench, which stated that "all elements
pointed to a difficult situation in the Croatian Army" and demanded
that the issue be discussed by parliament.
Antunovic said that there were some problems in the air force
regarding the level of equipment, but she added that "this is not
the reason for insinuations that the army lacks combat readiness".
She dismissed media claims that the recent retirement of a number of
high-ranking officers was the result of the President's Office
having sent the ministry inadequate information.
"These are merely speculations and I dismiss any claim that the
President's Office participates in instigating disorder in the
Armed Forces," she said.
The reorganisation of the army must not be given up for the sake of
Croatia's national and security interests, but one must exercise
caution in the process, she said.
Committee chairman Ante Markov said the committee's conclusion was
that the situation in the army was stable and safe.
The committee will adopt new conclusions in continuation of its
session on Thursday afternoon.
(hina) rml sb