GOVT. DECIDES ON SIZE, COMPOSITION, DEVELOPMENT OF ARMED FORCES

ZAGREB, April 25 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday passed decisions on the size, composition, and mobilisation development of the armed forces, as well as on the military division of Croatia into four land troops corps, with headquarters in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka, and Pula. #L# The decisions were made at a closed-door session attended by President Stjepan Mesic. The decision on the size, composition, and mobilisation development of the armed forces is a prerequisite for arriving at the figure of 21,000 active military personnel and 4,000 civil servants, Prime Minister Ivica Racan told reporters after the session. He announced the passing of a decree on the organisation of the Defence Ministry. As a result, the armed forces would number 27,000 people. Care for the 13,000 surplus employees should be settled by autumn, said Racan. These people will be offered good alternatives, including retirement and active reserve. In the latter a person could receive 60 percent of a monthly wage for a period of up to five years. Defence Minister Jozo Rados said all employees would be acquainted with new rule books and programmes by the end of May. He expected that active officials would opt for employment programmes offered in crafts, small and medium enterprises, and agriculture. Both Racan and Rados said the surplus workers would be in a privileged position in comparison to the rest of the population. Under today's decisions, Croatia will be divided into four land troops corps, with headquarters in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split. Split will also be the headquarters of the Croatian Navy, with two military naval sectors - one in Pula and one in Ploce. The Croatian Air Force headquarters will be in Zagreb. "We wish to step up the efficiency and power of the Armed Forces, to make them better and respect NATO standards," said Racan, adding that he expected Croatia would join the NATO Membership Action Plan at the Reykjavik summit. (hina) ha sb