2ND WORLD MILITARY SPORTS GAMES TO BE HELD IN ZAGREB NEXT SUMMER

( Editorial: --> 7813 ) ZAGREB, July 18 (Hina) - High Croatian army and sports officials last week held a press conference to announce the second world military games which will be held in Zagreb in August 1999. About 7,000 soldiers-athletes from some 80 countries will attend the games. The chairman of the games' organising committee Josip Lucic said Croatia became the host of the second games, the first took place in Rome in 1995, after Argentina declined. Croatia was offered the opportunity to organise the games because of its experience in organising similar events, said Lucic. Between 5,000 and 7,000 soldiers-athletes and 2,000 guests and reporters are expected to attend. In the technical organisation Croatia will be assisted by the Croatian Olympics Committee and the National Sports Alliance whose officials have international experience, said Lucic. The second world military games are a big event not only for our army but also for our country, said Croatian Defence Minister Andrija Hebrang. The facilities that will be used will include extant sports facilities and accommodation facilities in Zagreb and the surrounding area, he added. Our motto is friendship through sports and peace through sports, said the Secretary-General of the International Military Sports Council Lt. Bernard Hurst. He told reporters he was sure the Croatian Government and Croatian army would do all to make these games a success. We agreed as regards the main projects and are now working on the details, Hurst said. He commended the quality of Zagreb's sports facilities. (hina) ha jn 182126 MET jul 98