PRESIDENT MESIC ATTENDS GOVERNMENT SESSION

ZAGREB, Jan 31 (Hina) - The Croatian government adopted a session on Thursday a set of documents setting the foundation for the reform of the Croatian army and the defence system which should in the future hold less manpower, be more modern and better equipped. The session was attended by Croatian President and Croatian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Stjepan Mesic, who called for a consensus in the adoption of the suggested strategies and bills. "I use this session to also call on opposition parties in parliament to adopt these documents, which will show that this issue is important for all of us, for all parties, the entire society and the state," Mesic said, and pointed out that the proposed solutions completely rendered the army free of politics. Defence in Croatia must be a factor of development, not a burden for the country, Mesic said. He stressed that the proposed bills suited a peace-time army, but also took care of any possible need for Croatia to defend itself. Defence Minister Jozo Rados said if the parliament adopted the proposed documents by the end of March, Croatia would have fully met all requirements to apply for NATO membership, which should happen by the end of this year. The set of bills also introduces changes in the system of authority of the state's top bodies - the President, the Prime Minister and the Parliament Speaker, the foundation of such an integrated system being the distribution of power. The new system requires agreement and cooperation among the top bodies, Rados said, stressing that the government had so far not been included in the decision-making process, or the process of managing the defence and security systems. According to the proposal, the government, as the highest body of executive authority, receives very important powers in the segment, while the President, as Commander-in-Chief, retains the highest powers in peace and war, with crucial documents being adopted jointly. Some documents, such as strategies, require the participation of the parliament as well, Rados explained. Another important change is the new regulation of relations between the Defence Ministry and the General Staff, which prevents the duplication of responsibilities, i.e., protects the autonomy of the General Staff in the highest degree possible, and entrusts the Defence Ministry with supervision and management. The third important issue is the parliament's more active role in the adoption of strategic documents, as well as its supervisory role in the area of national security and defence. The defence minister said the reforms also meant a decrease in the share of expenses for defence in GDP. Expenses for the defence have been decreased from around four to 2.3% of GDP, and this share should be decreased to around 2.2 percent, possibly less, next year. Croatia would thus be fully integrated into NATO's framework for countries in transition, Rados said. He stressed that Croatia's aspiration was for its defence force to be founded on lesser manpower and become more modern and better equipped so that it could be adjusted with NATO standards. The current number of employees (40,000) should drop to 25,000, halving the cost of personnel, Rados stressed. (hina) lml sb