US PUBLISHER PRESENTS STUDY PLAN OF CROATIA TO CRO AMBASSADOR

WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Hina) - Croatian political and military plans for programmes of modernisation give favourable results and qualify Croatia for membership in transatlantic organisations, said Marvin Leibstone, the editor and publisher of the United States magazine "Global Security and Trade Journal". Leibstone presented the study plan on Croatia's democracy and belonging to the West to the Croatian Ambassador to the United States, Miomir Zuzul, on Friday. The study plan is to be published in January 1999, said Leibstone. He noted that the organisation of the Croatian Army is based on the same principles as armies of the West, particularly the US army. Although faced with problems in transition, Croatia is strengthening its democratic order, Leibstone noted. The importance of Croatia's role in the Partnership for Peace Programme, NATO and European Union, is visible because of its geopolitical location as well as in the historical and cultural traditions of the country, said Leibstone. He believes that undivided wide Europe could not be discussed without Croatia's firm position in Euro-Atlantic organisations, such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. Leibstone announced his visit to Zagreb next week, when he will hold talks with Croatian civil and military senior officials on the results of his research. (hina) it/lml