BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 3230 HINA ZAGREB, APRIL 11

HR-EMBARGO BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 3230 HINA ZAGREB, APRIL 11 ARMS EMBARGO REMOVAL POLITICALLY AND MILITARILY IMPORTANT- GRANICZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - The decision of the United States to lift an embargo on Croatia's purchase of U.S. arms and defence equipment has great military and political significance. This means that Croatia is eligible to buy defence articles in the United States as well as to receive U.S military assistance, said Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Saturday evening upon returning from America. In an interview during the Croatian Television's flagship news programme, Granic explained that in order for a country to be deemed eligible to receive U.S. assistance, it should meet both political and military criteria. On Friday, U.S. State Department Spokesman James Rubin said President Clinton determined that Croatia was eligible to be furnished defence articles and services under the Foreign Assistance and Arms Control acts. The speed of making this