CRO MINISTER WANTS LEADING ROLE FOR CROATIA IN THIRD NATO EXPANSION ROUND

WASHINGTON, June 19 (Hina) - Croatia wants the US' evaluation of its contribution to security and stability in the region to be confirmed at the upcoming NATO summit in Prague by granting Croatia the leader status in the third round of NATO expansion, Croatian Defence Minister Jozo Rados said in Washington on Tuesday. #L# Rados made this statement during a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage and the head of the National Security Council's Department for South-East Europe, Gregory Schulte. Rados says that his hosts reacted positively to Croatia's expectations. The Croatian minister also met with Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz on Monday. The meeting, Rados said, had confirmed the very good political and military relations between the two countries. Rados hoped Wolfowitz's visit to Croatia would contribute to improving the cooperation. Rados informed his hosts about the course of reform in the Croatian armed forces and defence ministry, which is partly based on a US evaluation of Croatia's defence needs. He confirmed that Croatia would continue the process, but called on the US to continue providing the same amount of assistance with regard to the education of Croatian officers at US military academies, even though US budgetary funds for the purpose have been decreased. Croatia will need modern equipment and technical assistance for border control as well, Rados said, confirming Croatia's readiness to participate in the anti-terrorist coalition. Croatia will soon deploy a police unit in Afghanistan and send military observers to Kashmir, Rados said. Rados will today visit the US National Defence University and meet its vice-president Robin Raphel. He is also to visit the Marine Corps command and meet its head, General James Jones. (hina) rml