GRANIC ON HDZ DECISION ON PARTY COOPERATION & NEW DEFENCE MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 8710 ) ZAGREB, Oct 15 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Thursday commented on the ruling Croatian Democratic Union's (HDZ) cooperation offer to two opposition parties, and the fact that a reserve general had been appointed new minister of defence. The HDZ National Council's conclusion, reached yesterday, that as the strongest party, the HDZ should offer cooperation to the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) refers to Dubrovnik-Neretva County, but also to lasting cooperation with the two parties, Granic told reporters after today's government session. The HDZ is willing to conduct serious negotiations with the two parties with similar programmes and it is up to them to evaluate whether they want to talk with the HDZ today or tomorrow, he said. Answering questions on possible international reaction to the fact that Croatia appointed a general as minister of defence, Granic said General Pavao Miljavac had first been released from duty, then sent into reserve, and then appointed. Miljavac took part in the Homeland War from the start, as a civilian, the Foreign Minister said, adding that besides a great war experience, Miljavac was expert in communicating with and recognisable in the international community. The most frequent European standard is for the defence minister to be a civilian, Granic agreed, but pointed out he believed of key importance were the steps the defence minister would take. It is this he will be evaluated by, and not the fact whether he was an active general, he added. Granic expressed his personal regret at former defence minister Andrija Hebrang's resignation. Hebrang is a personal friend with whom I have cooperated for more than 25 years. For me his decision to resign is a loss for the government, Granic said. As for Miljavac, he is an honourable, moral and highly expert man, he added. (hina) ha jn 151822 MET oct 98