ZAGREB, Dec 21 (Hina) - During 2003 Croatia's military underwent a process of reorganisation and this year was marked by the downsizing both in the armed forces and in the defence ministry.
ZAGREB, Dec 21 (Hina) - During 2003 Croatia's military underwent a
process of reorganisation and this year was marked by the downsizing
both in the armed forces and in the defence ministry.#L#
This year, about 8,000 persons were dismissed and the programme called
'SPECTRA' was implemented for the care of former employees of the
armed forces and the defence ministry. The number of guards brigades
was cut from seven to four, and instead of previous six military
districts, there is now a four-corps system.
The first military unit of the Croatian Army was sent for a peace
mission in Afghanistan. It was a military police platoon consisting of
40 men and four women, who were deployed in Afghanistan in late
February. After its six-month mission, this unit was replaced by the
second Croatian military police platoon which is taking part in the
ISAF mission in that Asian country.
In late 2003, Zagreb hosted a meeting of defence ministers of
south-eastern European countries.
Defence ministers of NATO and Partnership for Peace member-states, who
convened in Brussels earlier this month, commended Croatia for the
reorganisation of its military and bids to reach NATO standards.
(Hina) ms