DEFENCE MINISTRY OFFICIAL ENDS VISIT TO USA

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Hina) - An assistant to Croatia's defence minister, Mladen Ruzman, on Friday ended an official visit to the United States during which he met officials of the US military intelligence (DIA), CIA and the Department of Defence's main inspectorate. "This is the first time contacts with US officials have been established at this level," said Ruzman, who heads the Defence Ministry's intelligence sector. The purpose of the visit was to become acquainted with the legal framework of the operation of military and other intelligence services in the United States as well as their financing and supervision. Ruzman and the DIA director, Vice-Admiral Thomas Wilson, discussed parliamentary control of the agency and its financing. Ruzman believes the US experience could be applied in Croatia if the parliament and its services were organised adequately. The Croatian official also met the head of the intelligence department at the main inspectorate of the Department of Defence, David Crane, with whom he discussed internal control of military- intelligence activities. It was agreed that Crane pay a visit to Croatia. The US officials offered to include Croatian representatives in the training for military intelligence control, normative regulation and budget. There is a possibility for first candidates to attend some seminars this year already. (hina) rml.