PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S ADDRESS TO MEMBERS OF FORMER ARMIES

ZAGREB, May 17 (Hina) - The President of Croatia and Chief Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Franjo Tudjman, on Monday forwarded an Address to members of former armies regarding a decision on recognising ranks of Croatian citizens who served in different armed forces or armies on Croatian soil. The President of the Republic reached the decision on May 10. This is the full text of the decision (this is an unofficial translation): "Considering that many members of different former armies on Croatian soil have sent requests for the recognition of their ranks, and in line with the overall policy of reconciliation among the Croatian people, who were in conflict in the past, a policy which has enabled the establishment of an independent and sovereign Croatian state and the victory in the Homeland War, as the President of the Republic and in line with Article 100, Paragraph 1, of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, and Article 47, Paragraph 1, Item 11, of the Defence Law (National Gazette Nr 74/93 - final draft, 57/96), I have reached a decision on recognising the ranks of Croatian citizens who were members of different armed units or armies on Croatian soil. Ranks will be recognised for members of the Croatian Home Guards, Croatian anti-fascist partisan forces and the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) on condition that: 1. they were persecuted because of their national identity and democratic orientation by the authorities of the anti-Croatian communist regime; 2. they actively, or in any other way, participated in the Homeland War, or 3. they enticed the destabilisation of enemy forces and authorities with their actions and conduct, and assisted the establishment of the authorities and army of the democratic Croatia, or 4. they inherited and nurtured the Croatian military tradition and customs with their actions and conduct, and thus contributed to the establishment and development of the army and authority of the democratic Croatia, and 5. they make a solemn oath that they wish to be drafted into the reserve forces of the armed forces of the independent and sovereign Croatian state. 6. Apart from the conditions as described in items 1 to 5, the right to recognition of rank can be granted, in line with regulations, to Croatian citizens who were members of different armed forces or armies on Croatian soil, if they take a solemn oath that they wish to be included in the reserve forces of the armed forces of the independent and sovereign state of Croatia. Application for recognition of rank has to be accompanied with appropriate certificates and references by two active or reserve officers of the Croatian army. Applications for recognition of rank are submitted posthumously by the children or grandchildren of Croatian Home Guards, members of the Croatian anti-fascist partisan forces or the Yugoslav People's Army. Applications are to be submitted to the Defence Ministry, through the Office for Defence, which will establish whether conditions have been fulfilled before the Croatian President and Chief Commander of the Armed Forces reaches a decision. The recognition of rank by itself does not entail any other rights, except for the right to display the rank and wear the regulated Croatian Army uniform on the occasions of state and military holidays. This decision comes into effect on the day of its announcement." (hina) rml/lml