DEFENCE MINISTRY PAPER APOLOGISES FOR "BLATANT OVERSIGHT"

ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - The Croatian Defence Ministry and its monthly publication "Hrvatski Vojnik" (Croatian Soldier) on Wednesday regretted that, in the absence of the editor-in-chief, the latest issue carried an article containing unacceptable allegations about the Croatian opposition and the United States. The Ministry's public relations office on Wednesday evening issued a statement saying the November 1998 issue of "Hrvatski Vojnik" published an article headlined "Asymmetrical Wars - The Reality of the Third Millennium, Part III", which contained "allegations which are contrary to the long-standing editorial policy of 'Hrvatski Vojnik' and the standpoints of the Ministry of Defence." "In the absence of the Editor-In-Chief, Major General Ivan Tolj, an article was published, which contained unacceptable statements and which in an unacceptable manner spoke about opposition political parties in the Republic of Croatia, and accused the United States of America of neo-colonialism," said the statement. "The Croatian Ministry of Defence and the Editor's Office of 'Hrvatski Vojnik' publicly apologise for and regret the blatant oversight," it added. Defence Minister Pavao Miljavac decided the conditions surrounding the writing and publication of the article in question must be investigated. (hina) ha jn