PRESIDENT MESIC DELIVERS DIPLOMAS TO WAR SCHOOL GRADUATES

ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday handed over diplomas to 13 high-ranking officers of the Croatian Army (HV) and the (Bosnian) Croat Defence Council (HVO) who attended the courses at the war school "Ban Josip Jelacic" in Zagreb. Addressing Defence Ministry officials, HV representatives and those who finished the education at this school, President Mesic said well-trained officers and non-commissioned officers are a guarantee of successful transfer of education to soldiers. Mesic stressed that nobody should entertain illusions that there were no longer such persons or groups that would like to change borders and impose their political solutions forcibly, and he viewed the Croatian army as a guarantee of the territorial integrity of the country. Speaking of Croatia's military doctrine, Mesic said the country should bring up such soldier who is able to carry out every task but who will not turn against their own people. He said Croatia would remain Croatia upon its admission into Europe and the country should be always prepared to defend itself. "We must have an army set up in accordance to NATO standards and this requires much knowledge and money. We also must cherish patriotism in future soldiers as patriotism solved the problem of our survival and the victory in the war," the Croatian President added. The war school commander, General Franjo Feldi, said this school had just eight employees, but it was cited among best war schools. Gen. Feldi added that the school developed good military-civilian cooperation. Those who graduated from the war school are 11 HV and two HVO officers. (hina) ms