CROATIAN SERB CONSCRIPTS IN MILITARY SERVICE AS OF JANUARY 15

ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - The moratorium on Serb conscripts serving the Croatian military which came into effect in January 1998 will expire on January 15. Croatian citizens of Serb nationality in Croatia's Eastern Danube River region will begin serving conscription in the Croatian Armed Forces as an obligation, in line with military regulations valid for all Croatian citizens. The Defence Ministry on Friday recalled the Decision on postponing conscription for Croatian citizens, members of the Serb ethnic community, was reached on the basis of a letter of intent signed by the Croatian Government and the international community in 1997. The decision stipulates that military conscription for members of the Serb ethnic community in the Danubian region is postponed for two years after the completion of the UN peace mission mandate in the area. The decision thus came into effect with the end of the UN Temporary Administration on January 15, 1998. Starting January 15, Serb draftees will be sent to military education and training centres as all other conscripts are, the Ministry said. They will undergo the same programme as other conscripts during the service. Because only military registration has been completed in the Danubian area, young soldiers will have to undergo medical , psychological and other check-ups. The number of conscripts from the region will be set in ratio to the overall number of conscripts in every roll-call period. (hina) lml