ARMY WILL RESPECT ELECTORAL RESULTS WITHOUT ANY DOUBT - MILJAVAC

ZAGREB, Dec 7 (Hina) - The Croatian armed forces will respect the results of democratically implemented elections and this should not be doubted at all, Croatian Defence Minister Pavao Miljavac said after Tuesday's talks with Ambassador Robert Frowick. Besides impending parliamentary elections, Miljavac and Frowick, who is deputy special adviser to the United States President and state secretary for the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, also discussed bringing professionalism in the Croatian army up to NATO standards, and U.S.-Croatia defence cooperation. Minister Miljavac said that unlike past elections, when lists of candidates included many active Croatian army officers, this time only Ljubo Cesic Rojs, a Croatian general and assistant defence minister, will appear on the lists, namely the one for the Diaspora. "After the elections, (...) Rojs will in any case have to choose between a possible MP mandate and duties in the defence ministry," said Miljavac. He expressed satisfaction with past U.S.-Croatian defence cooperation, and pointed to the need of further stimulation. Ambassador Frowick said the U.S. would further support activities aimed at increasing professionalism in the Croatian army. (hina) ha mm