DEFENCE MINISTER RADOS MEETS NATO COMMANDER FOR EUROPE

ZAGREB, April 5 (Hina) - Croatia's joining NATO's Membership Action Plan (MAP) is a matter of political decision by Croatia and NATO member-countries, the NATO Europe Commander, US General Joseph Ralston, said at a meeting with Croatian Defence Minister Jozo Rados in Zagreb on Friday. #L# The meeting focused on the current reform of the Croatian army as part of the country's efforts to join NATO. Addressing reporters, Ralston said that the next step in the process of drawing closer to NATO, joining MAP, was a matter of political decision. If the Croatian leadership decides to make that step and if this is approved by NATO member-countries, the step will be made, he said. MAP specifies what must be done to become a NATO member-country, he added. MAP is a programme NATO initiated in April 1999. It is aimed at assisting countries in implementing political and defence reforms necessary for meeting NATO standards. Croatia expects to be invited to join MAP at NATO's next ministerial meeting in Reykjavik in May. The US general described as positive the Croatian army's reform efforts since the country's admission to NATO's Partnership for Peace in May 2000. Rados said that Gen. Ralston's visit affirmed Croatia's goal to join international security structures. The defence minister informed his guest about the reforms the Defence Ministry was conducting, including the reduction of personnel. Once this process is successfully completed, we expect that the modernisation of the armed forces and the employment of younger staff will start, he said, adding this could happen as early as next year. A detailed long-term plan of development of the armed forces will be drawn up in line with the new law on the armed forces, Rados said. This is the second visit of Gen. Ralston to Croatia. He first visited Croatia in the autumn of 2000. Ralston is also to meet President Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan. (hina) rml