OSIJEK, April 28 (Hina) - The Croatian army 3rd Guard Brigade, which took part in numerous Homeland War battles, marked its 10th anniversary in the 'Drava' barracks in the eastern town of Osijek on Saturday.
OSIJEK, April 28 (Hina) - The Croatian army 3rd Guard Brigade, which
took part in numerous Homeland War battles, marked its 10th
anniversary in the 'Drava' barracks in the eastern town of Osijek on
Saturday. #L#
Addressing the brigade, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic recalled
its contribution in the Homeland War and the peace-time tasks of the
Croatian army.
Mesic reminded that Croatia was a member of the Partnership for
Peace and that it had overcome its international isolation as well
as that it was negotiating its admission to the European Union.
Speaking about the reorganisation of the Armed Forces, President
Mesic stressed the need for "modernisation and purchase of military
equipment." "These are our goals and that is what we are obliged to
do if we want to join NATO and the EU," he said.
The war experience was invaluable but peacetime operations require
a high level of readiness and professionalism, not only for tasks
within the Croatian army but in UN peace missions and joint
Partnership for Peace exercises too, as well as for future NATO
membership, Mesic said.
Facing the negative sides of the Homeland War is necessary for
removing this political issue from the agenda and being able to
speak about the Homeland War as an important and positive fact in
Croatia's history, Defence Minister Jozo Rados said. Speaking
about the new approach to the Croatian army, he said it was
necessary "to face the negative elements of our past and present
actions" and added that a vast majority of Croatian soldiers did
their job professionally and honourably.
The Croatian Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff, General Petar Stipetic,
said the 3rd Brigade had borne witness to "the invincibility of the
Croatian army and defended its homeland" in all Croatian
battlefields. He emphasised the unit's contribution to the
operation 'Storm'. The Croatian army is facing reorganisation into
a more efficient army with smaller combat systems and it will
continue guaranteeing Croatia's security and independence on the
basis of modern equipment and a higher level of readiness, General
Stipetic said.
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