NATO NAVAL COMMANDER VISITS SPLIT

SPLIT, Sept 24 (Hina) - The commander of NATO naval forces in southern Europe, Admiral Giuseppe Spinozzi, arrived in Croatia on Wednesday for a two-day visit to the Croatian Navy. In the naval port of Lora in Split, Admiral Spinozzi was greeted by Croatian Navy commander Vice Admiral Vid Stipetic and his associates. Senior NATO and Croatian Navy officers discussed the organisational structure, role and state of the Croatian Navy and NATO naval forces. Responding to a journalist's question after the talks, on whether a joint exercise of the Croatian Navy and NATO could be expected, Spinozzi said: A joint exercise is not questionable, but I recommend to Croatia to join the Partnership for Peace programme as soon as possible so that I can give an explanation to my superiors when I propose a joint exercise in the Adriatic. (hina) vm 242129 MET sep 97