SIXTH FLEET VESSELS TO VISIT CROATIA

ZAGREB, April 19 (Hina) - Ships of the US Sixth Fleet will visit Croatia in the next five weeks, and their presence will mark the continuation of military cooperation between American and Croatian armed forces. The first US ship, Oak Hill, has sailed into the Croatian harbour of Split and will stay anchored until April 21. The ship is used for amphibian operations and is the first such vessel to visit Croatia from the declaration of its independence. At the end of April the destroyer USS Mahan will sail into Split. The ship is the command vessel of a fleet of destroyers in the fighter group of the USS Eisenhower aircraft carriers. The personnel numbers 5,300 and the carrier holds more than 40 aircraft of the F-14, F-18, EA-6B, E-AWACS and S-3 types, as well as SH/HH-60 helicopters and C-2 transporters. At the same time the USS Cape saint George cruiser will be visiting Rijeka, for the first visit of such a ship and the first visit of an American war ship to Rijeka since the proclamation of Croatia's independence. During the five weeks the second round of air manoeuvres of the Croatian Air Force and USS Eisenhower aircraft will take place. All activities should include cooperation on the military, protocol and recreation plans. Military cooperation will include the visit of Croatian military personnel to American ships, the US Embassy said in a statement Wednesday. (hina) lml jn