TUDJMAN GIVES RECEPTION FOR CROATIAN ARMY AND POLICE REPS

ZAGREB, Dec 29 (Hina) - The Croatian President and supreme commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, Franjo Tudjman, on Tuesday gave a Christmas and New Year reception for representatives of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry. Much has been done in 1998 in the peace-time reorganisation of Croatia's armed and police forces. The reorganisation process should continue next year so that the army and police may measure up to the tasks expecting them in peace-time, Tudjman said addressing his guests. Speaking about the organisation of the Croatian Army, Tudjman stressed it should strive towards modern development and modern European and world military associations, learn from everybody, serve its people, and cooperate with the authorities. "Our task is to have security forces on the level of those tasks which are expected nowadays. We have come out of the war, but with most of the countries surrounding it, Croatia still doesn't have established borders. Border issues and incidents may cause a variety of issues and we must bear this in mind," President Tudjman said. He emphasised the security forces must be ready to resolve such issues as well. We shall do everything to resolve those issues peacefully, Tudjman said, but added that to secure state policy, not only must the border security forces be ready, but the Croatian Army as well. Speaking about army reorganisation in peacetime, the President said this primarily called for a reduced number of the armed force, but also for a reorganisation enabling the army to be ready to follow and serve as the state policy's shield in every respect. To that effect a war college had recently been established, Tudjman said, adding the establishment of a national defence school should be considered in the course of next year. "We should strive to be in the spirit of and in keeping with contemporary military trends and organisations in Europe and the world, learn from everybody, but not support anybody completely." Tudjman stressed the army would undoubtedly continue to be the subject of various pressures and influences. Our task is to learn from everybody, while simultaneously preserving the army's national essence and independence, he said. The President added we must not be deceived into thinking that the disinclination had disappeared of those who did not want and would even today like to disturb Croatia's security system. The Croatian Army has to be a school of national identity and morality, he added, pointing out the army and the Interior Ministry must be a model for the new Croatian state, Croatian freedom, and democracy. Based on experience from the very beginning of the creation of the Croatian army, the victories won with hardships and victims, Tudjman said Croatia could rightfully conclude the Croatian army would continue to be the chief foundation of its policy and independence, and the reason why the Croatian people could feel safe. Defence Minister Pavao Miljavac thanked the President for the reception and his wishes. Speaking about the events which marked the past year, Miljavac mentioned the death of Defence Minister Gojko Susak. Susak headed the Defence Ministry in the most difficult times and, following the President's guidelines, began the peace-time reorganisation of the army, Miljavac said. The military budget for 1999 is very economic, but it will enable the maintenance of the required level of combat readiness, he added. Interior Minister Ivan Penic said the year 1998 had been rather difficult, the main tasks having been the creation of security conditions, the protection of the constitutional order, private property, and human rights. The Interior Ministry had done its best to make the implementation of the peaceful reintegration of the Danube River region to the pride and honour of Croatia, Penic concluded. (hina) rml/ha