'HIS' TO RETURN TO ITS BASIC TASKS THROUGH RE-ORGANISATION

ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - Croatian President's decision on the reorganisation of the Croatian Intelligence Service (HIS) is the expression of efforts to bring intelligence and security services back within frameworks in which they can democratically serve the society and carry out their basic task - to protect Croatian state interests, reported the Office of the National Security (UNS), an umbrella organisation of intelligence services in the country,. The HIS, being an intelligence service orientated towards abroad, will continue to carry out its original duties, in the changed organisational forms until the optimum and complete solution is found, read a statement released by the UNS. President Stjepan Mesic has made a decision on the HIS re- organisation at a proposal of the UNS head, Tomislav Karamarko, and in the agreement with Croatian Premier Ivica Racan and the Sabor's internal policy and national security committee, it read. The UNS reported that this decision also reflected endeavours to apply modern democratic countries' high standards in this service. The measures which Croatian officials have taken, help create pre- requisites for the strengthening of a democratic control over the intelligence and security system in order to ensure, in the best manner, the simultaneous development of democracy and a high degree of the professionalism of services that deal with the state security, the statement read. Croatian President Mesic's Office stated today that Mesic appointed Damir Loncaric as the HIS head. Loncaric had worked as a policeman for 22 years, and earned a reputation for his struggle against the organised crime in Croatia. At the moment he was appointed as the HIS head he worked as the director of security service at the Zagreb airport. (hina) jn ms