"ARMED FORCES AND SOCIETY" SYMPOSIUM BEGINS IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 9648 ) ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - An international symposium, "Armed Forces and Society", began in Zagreb Monday. Two dozens renowned Croatian and foreign military and civil experts will discuss the relation between the army and the democratic civil society. The symposium was organised, at an initiative by co-organiser Gaminger Initiative, by the Croatian Ministry of Defence, the Croatian Officer Corps, the Croatian National Vow Foundation and the German Hanns Seidel Stiftung Foundation. The symposium was opened by Croatian Officer Corps president Major General Velibor Kikerec. Addresses were also made by organiser representatives Ivic Pasalic of the Croatian National Vow Foundation and Defence Minister Andrija Hebrang, who emphasised the importance of the defence forces for the survival of a country, but also the necessity of including them into democratic society with full civil supervision. Also attending the symposium are numerous officers of the Croatian army, representatives of foreign armies and civil officials, including Croatian Interior Minister Ivan Penic. (hina) ha jn 081231 MET jun 98