CROATIA, U.S. TO HOLD JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE IN TWO WEEKS

ZAGREB, Sept 9 (Hina) - Croatia and the United States will hold a joint military exercise in two weeks time by the island of Zirje in Croatia's central Adriatic Sea, Croatian Foreign Ministry spokesman Goran Rotim said in a statement on Saturday. Diplomatic consultations on the exercise began in March, and the holding of the exercise was confirmed during a visit Croatia's President Stipe Mesic, Prime Minister Ivica Racan, and Foreign and Defence Ministers Tonino Picula and Jozo Rados made to the Eisenhower aircraft carrier on May 1. The start of the exercise was postponed to accommodate the summer tourist season, at Croatia's request. This first Croatian-U.S. military exercise, to include 300 marines and Croatian Army amphibious and landing units, despite engaging a small number of soldiers, is indicative of Croatia's willingness to bring its armed forces up to NATO standards, said Rotim. He added the exercise had been agreed on even before Croatia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace programme earlier this year. This is further proof of U.S. assurance of the determination and ability of Croatia's new government to implement an active foreign policy based on peace, good neighbourly relations, and regional stability, the spokesman said. (hina) ha