PETRINJA, May 15 (Hina) - The Gromovi (Thunders) Second Guard Brigade marked the tenth anniversary of its establishment in Petrinja at a ceremony attended by President and Armed Forces Supreme Commandeer Stipe Mesic, who decorated the
Brigade with the Prince Domagoj Order. Mesic said in his address Gromovi should be proud of their contribution to the liberation of Croatia in the Homeland Defence War, particularly in the Flash and Storm operations. He added their killed and missing fellow soldiers bound them to preserve the values of the 1990s war. Many tasks are before Croatia as a member of the Partnership for Peace programme and future NATO member and their execution should be expedited by the resolution of economic problems, said Mesic. "We have to strengthen democratic institutions and create a security zone in Croatia to attract foreign capital, while Croatia has to prepare for the tasks awaiting it as part of i
PETRINJA, May 15 (Hina) - The Gromovi (Thunders) Second Guard
Brigade marked the tenth anniversary of its establishment in
Petrinja at a ceremony attended by President and Armed Forces
Supreme Commandeer Stipe Mesic, who decorated the Brigade with the
Prince Domagoj Order.
Mesic said in his address Gromovi should be proud of their
contribution to the liberation of Croatia in the Homeland Defence
War, particularly in the Flash and Storm operations. He added their
killed and missing fellow soldiers bound them to preserve the
values of the 1990s war.
Many tasks are before Croatia as a member of the Partnership for
Peace programme and future NATO member and their execution should
be expedited by the resolution of economic problems, said Mesic.
"We have to strengthen democratic institutions and create a
security zone in Croatia to attract foreign capital, while Croatia
has to prepare for the tasks awaiting it as part of international
peace missions," the President said.
Defence Minister Jozo Rados said there was no danger to the values
of the Homeland Defence War or to Croatia's independence in any way
or by anyone.
"Croatia has to build a system of national security" he said, adding
he was confident "the Croatian Armed Forces will know how to respond
to the new tasks set before it in line with the political will of the
Croatian people."
The deputy military chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Josip Lucic, spoke
about the creation of guard brigades in conditions of war.
Mesic and Rados also held talks with the families of killed Croatian
soldiers who outlined the problems they encountered in the
realisation of their rights.
Responding to their questions, Mesic said that not one war criminal
would or could be amnestied. "Croatia must function as a law-based
state... safe for foreign capital, which is imperative for the
revival of the Croatian economy," he said.
Commenting on a recent incident in a southern Croatian barracks,
the President said he "did not intend to insult anyone even though
they insulted me" and that "the barracks is not a place for
political panels."
(hina) ha sb