CROATIAN NAVY CELEBRATES 7TH ANNIVERSARY IN SPLIT

( Editorial: --> 1368 ) SPLIT, Sept 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Navy (HRM) celebrated its seventh anniversary in Split on Friday. The organisation and technical readiness of the navy has to be improved so that criteria for NATO's Partnership for Peace programme can be met, said Vice Admiral Davorin Kaic, a representative of the Defence Minister and the Croatian Armed Forces' Chief-Of-Staff. Kaic called on navy members to technically improve themselves and learn languages so as to be able to participate in future joint projects with foreign armies. The HRM Commander Vice Admiral Vid Stipetic spoke of the need to cherish the memory of 57 mariners killed in the Homeland War and care for disabled war veterans. The ceremony in Split's military port Lora was also attended by representatives from the Croatian Army Main Headquarters, the Interior Ministry and war victims' associations, as well as by numerous civilian officials and church dignitaries. An HRM delegation this morning laid a wreath at the Split cemetery of Lovrinac and lit candles for killed Croatian defenders. Croatian Navy Day is celebrated on September 18 in memory of a victory by Croatia's Prince Branimir in a battle off the shore of central Dalmatia in the year 887. The day is celebrated on this date also because the first Croatian Army navy unit was established in September 1991. (hina) rml /mbr 181629 MET sep 98