STEPS TAKEN TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT DURING JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE

SLUNJ, April 11 (Hina) - All measures to protect the environment in the Slunj military range have been fully carried out and will be under constant supervision of experts for the duration of a joint Croatian-U.S. military exercise called Slunj 2001. Slunj, a town 100-km south-west of Zagreb, on Wednesday hosted a topical panel attended by senior officials of the Croatian Ministry of Defence, and senior officials of the United States sixth fleet and the 22nd expedition marine corps. Col. Eugen Njari, speaking on behalf of the Croatian armed forces, said the aim of the April 9-27 exercise was to train the Croatian and U.S. army units, and acquaint the Croatian side with the planning, organisation, and implementation of similar exercises from the headquarters level to that of lower tact units. The exercise is part of Croatian military preparations for access to NATO, it was said. Slunj residents and ecologists have expressed concern at the holding of two major exercises in the Slunj area over a short period of time. Clean air and water cannot be bought and the Croatian Defence Ministry should consider closing the Slunj military range for exercises, they said. The main activities of the exercise will be held on April 12-23, with an Easter break on the 15th and 16th. According to Njari, 1,500 U.S. marines and some 200 members of the Croatian military will take part in th exercise. Joint training will be held on April 17-23. (hina) ha