DEPUTY MILITARY CHIEF-OF-STAFF RECEIVES U.S. DELEGATION

ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina) - The Croatian deputy military chief-of- staff, Lt. Gen. Josip Lucic, on Monday discussed changes in the Croatian armed forces and the advancement of military cooperation with a delegation of the United States European Command (USEUCOM), headed by Command Sergeant Major Philip J. Kiniery. "Ahead of us is the reduction of the armed forces and the raising of the work quality of the entire structure, with special emphasis on the performance of the duties of non-commissioned officers working directly with people," Lt. Gen. Lucic said after the talks, pointing to the significance of the U.S. delegation's visit. Satisfied with today's visit, Kiniery said its purpose was to note everything positive which had occurred in the development of the non-commissioned corps in which, he added, Croatia was going in the right direction. The U.S. officer mentioned the fact that Croatia also offered certain training facilities and military exercise testing grounds. Asked about joint Croatian-U.S. military exercises, Lucic said they would be in keeping with Croatian and American possibilities "given their role in the establishment of security in the world." (hina) ha sb