ZAGREB, Dec 3 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan stated after talks in Zagreb on Tuesday that they would abide by the law with regard to the status of the Armed Forces' Chief-of-Staff, General
Petar Stipetic.
ZAGREB, Dec 3 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and Prime
Minister Ivica Racan stated after talks in Zagreb on Tuesday that
they would abide by the law with regard to the status of the Armed
Forces' Chief-of-Staff, General Petar Stipetic. #L#
Asked whether they discussed Stipetic's retirement (Stipetic is 65
and should be sent into retirement under the law), Mesic said the
talks focused on the need to reorganise the army as soon as possible
and adjust the reorganisation process to the needs and goals of the
Armed Forces, and on the people who could perform that task in as
short a time as possible.
The president added that general Stipetic's role in the process was
significant, that he had given his best so far and that he would most
certainly not be excluded from the process. Asked what that meant,
he said Stipetic's services would be needed in the future as well.
Prime Minister Racan said Stipetic had significantly contributed
to reorganising the army and there was no reason why he should not
continue doing so in the future.
"Both President Mesic and the Prime Minister protect and will
protect the law. There is no reason why they should act differently.
If General Stipetic is sent into retirement, we expect him to
contribute further. Please be patient until the issue is settled
and I promise it will be," Racan said.
(hina) rml sb