ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - The head of the President's military cabinet said on Thursday the abolishment of military service was a long process which should be undertaken only when Croatia ensured conditions necessary to integrate into
Western Europe. "The President believes military service may be abolished only when absolutely every necessary prerequisite has been met," Kresimir Kaspar told Hina. He recalled the President's adviser on military issues, Imra Agotic, had said "the security of the country or its ability for defence must not be brought into question" at any moment. "In principle we are not against abolishing military service but we think it should not be done at this moment, but as part of a longer process, only when conditions have been met for Croatia to integrate into Western European military structures," said Kaspar. A defence bill which has been drafted by the defence ministry and should enter parli
ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - The head of the President's military cabinet
said on Thursday the abolishment of military service was a long
process which should be undertaken only when Croatia ensured
conditions necessary to integrate into Western Europe.
"The President believes military service may be abolished only when
absolutely every necessary prerequisite has been met," Kresimir
Kaspar told Hina.
He recalled the President's adviser on military issues, Imra
Agotic, had said "the security of the country or its ability for
defence must not be brought into question" at any moment.
"In principle we are not against abolishing military service but we
think it should not be done at this moment, but as part of a longer
process, only when conditions have been met for Croatia to
integrate into Western European military structures," said
Kaspar.
A defence bill which has been drafted by the defence ministry and
should enter parliamentary procedure in September paves the way for
abolishing conscription but does not define deadlines.
Defence Minister Jozo Rados said on Wednesday the abolishment of
military service should not be delayed given a world-wide tendency
to do so.
He believes the abolishment of military service would not bring
into question the security of the country as Croatia has a strong
and well-trained professional armed force, which went through a
war, and consequently does not require conscripts.
According to the bill, military service would not be abolished
completely but include voluntary service.
(hina) ha sb