WAR SCHOOL COMMANDER COMMENTS ON START OF MILITARY EDUCATION

( Editorial: --> 8596 ) ZAGREB, Oct 15 (Hina) - The Croatian armed forces "Ban Josip Jelacic" War School will commence in November, the school's commander, General Franjo Feldi said on Thursday. The school will be attended by high ranking Croatian officers who will undertake five to six courses in defence strategies said Feldi. The first 14 attendants were recently received by Croatian President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Franjo Tudjman. Attendants will study defence strategies and a special field of study will be the Homeland War. It will be possible for foreign officers to also attend the school based on bilateral agreements. Attendants will be lectured by distinguished military and civil lecturers and guest lecturers from abroad. The "Ban Josip Jelacic" War School has been based on the principle of the United States' war school which was successfully completed by General Damir Krsticevic who has shared his experiences and knowledge with us. Once completing their education at the war school, graduates will be capable of expert analysis of war experience and the history of wars around the world. The focal point is Croatia's war history as well as referring to the history of other nations and states, focusing on defence and military strategies as a framework for studying modern war and peacetime operations. General Feldi denounced media speculation regarding claims that the first generation of attendants of the War School will depart Croatia. This first generation can be honoured that they were just that, the first generation. Every army takes care of their own. We are educating men who won the Homeland War to become capable officers in peacetime circumstances. With these people, we are entering the 21st century, he said. During the Homeland War, these officers gained a reputation and the skills necessary for war and they were participants and commanders of some the best known Croatian victories. They did not have an opportunity then to study defence strategies here nor elsewhere in the world. The "Ban Josip Jelacic" War School is the highest military education institution. Feldi announced that this level of education would soon be raised to higher level - with a school for national security, which will adopt military, general political and economic and other field of expertise for the highest ranking state and political officers. (Hina) sp 151220 MET oct 98