ZAGREB, Feb 17 (Hina) - The reorganisation of the Ministry of Defence into a civil institution is our most important and most urgent task, Croatian Defence Minister Jozo Rados told military-diplomatic envoys accredited in Croatia on
Thursday. Rados announced the Defence Ministry would be more open to the public, and a new work plan which will be in keeping with the new government's political orientation. He announced the impending drafting of plans for the reorganisation of the Defence Ministry and the armed forces, to be completed by the end of June. In six months should commence a reduction of the number of draftees, shorter military service, and a gradual reduction of the army's professional composition and a reorganisation of "organisational wholes". The defence ministers said civilians exclusively would soon be at the head of his ministry, and that they would be employed accordi
ZAGREB, Feb 17 (Hina) - The reorganisation of the Ministry of
Defence into a civil institution is our most important and most
urgent task, Croatian Defence Minister Jozo Rados told military-
diplomatic envoys accredited in Croatia on Thursday.
Rados announced the Defence Ministry would be more open to the
public, and a new work plan which will be in keeping with the new
government's political orientation.
He announced the impending drafting of plans for the reorganisation
of the Defence Ministry and the armed forces, to be completed by the
end of June.
In six months should commence a reduction of the number of draftees,
shorter military service, and a gradual reduction of the army's
professional composition and a reorganisation of "organisational
wholes".
The defence ministers said civilians exclusively would soon be at
the head of his ministry, and that they would be employed according
to a dynamic which will not affect the ministry's work.
Parliament's supervision of the ministry's work will be increased,
while plans also include the reorganisation of the competent
parliamentary committee's work. The Defence Ministry should not
perform tasks it is not competent for and cannot lead its own
separate policy, Rados emphasised.
"It would make me happy at the end of my four-year mandate, or
another minister's mandate, to see Croatia with a small, well-
equipped, and professional (defence) ministry, and a small, well-
trained armed force with state-of-the-art equipment," the minister
said.
On behalf of the military-diplomatic corps, Rados was thanked for
today's reception by Slovene Brigadier Zlatko Vehovar, who invited
the Croatian defence minister to cooperation and exchange of
experience.
(hina) ha