FORMER US DEFENCE SECRETARY HOLDS LECTURE IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 7916 ) ZAGREB, Sept 3 (Hina) - The former US Defence Secretary William Perry held a lecture titled "Technology and Economic Performance - Developing National Technology Base" in Zagreb on Thursday. The lecture was delivered at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing. Earlier during the day, Perry was awarded an honorary PhD degree by the Zagreb University Chancellor Branko Jeren. Perry, a doctor of mathematics, eminent scientist and professor at the University of Stanford, is better known as the US Defence Secretary from 1994 to 1997. He is recognised as the chief constructor of America's stealth and smart weapons. Another area of his scientific and expert work refers to issues concerning the national and global security policy, which is in the focus of his study at the University of Stanford department for engineering and economic systems and operational research and at the institute for international studies. Perry's exceptional scientific achievements are one of the reasons why Zagreb University decided to award him the title of honorary doctor. Another reason for this promotion is Mr Perry's exceptional contribution to the development and strengthening of military cooperation between the United States and Croatia, at a time which was of special importance for Croatia, said Prof. Dr. Kresimir Cosic. Thanks to Mr Perry, special forms of cooperation in the area of military personnel training have been developed, enabling Croatian officers and civil officials to attend US military academies and other institutions of higher education, in line with NATO standards, Cosic said. What kind of advice can the United States give to Croatia so that it could develop its technology as successfully as possible. Perry believes that there are three important pieces of advice - the first one is that technological supremacy is achieved by developing information technologies, the second that the key role in that process is played by leading technical universities, and the third one is a successful transfer of technology into industry. (hina) jn rml 032053 MET sep 98