DEFENCE MINISTER URGES REPLACEMENT OF ARMY CHIEF-OF-STAFF

ZAGREB, Oct 4 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Jozo Rados on Thursday refused to comment more on his statement that Croatian Army Chief-of-Staff Petar Stipetic had become involved in politics too much and therefore had to step down. In an interview published in today's issue of the Novi List daily, Rados labelled Stipetic's statement that the defence minister wanted to introduce military dictatorship, by wishing to allow the intelligence service SIS to wiretap civilians, and his commending disobedience to the supreme commander in Bjelovar as serious politicising and a departure from basic democratic principles. By making these statements, Stipetic "went far beyond what a soldier in a democratic society is allowed to and can say." "In most countries, the army chief-of-staff would be immediately replaced and I will take such action as is in my jurisdiction towards such a decision," Rados said. He stressed that it was not in his jurisdiction to propose, appoint and relieve of duty army chiefs-of-staff but added he would do all to prove the validity of his view and if he failed, he was willing to face the consequences. The defence minister did not want to comment more on his statement today. According to unofficial information, he has already discussed the matter with Prime Minister Ivica Racan and will insist on his proposal notwithstanding the consequences. (hina) sb rml