OFFICIAL RECEPTION HELD ON OCCASION OF CROATIAN POLICE DAY

( Editorial: --> 3825 ) ZAGREB, Sept 28 (Hina) - Interior Minister Ivan Penic on Monday night prepared an official reception in Zagreb to mark the occasion of Croatian Police Day. In attendance were representatives from the Defence Ministry, the Croatian Army's staff headquarters, the National Security Office (UNS) and the Croatian Information Service. Welcoming those present, Penic recalled the period of the Croatian Interior Ministry's (MUP) establishment. "At the beginning of the 1990s a large number of people had left the MUP. But after an appeal by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, about 1,800 young people entered the police force," Penic said, adding that most of these people provided the foundation for the Croatian Army. He recalled the tragic incidents in Plitvice Lakes (central Croatia) and Borovo Naselje (eastern Croatia) during 1991. Congratulating the MUP's Constitutional Order Protection Service and the UNS on their cooperation, Penic thanked those present for their cooperation and assistance during his past two years as minister. He expressed hope that this cooperation would continue for the good of everyone. Defence Minister Andrija Hebrang recalled the cooperation between the two ministries during the Homeland War. "Just like we defended Croatian sovereignty together during the war, we need to be united with aim of defending Croatia in the peacetime period," he said. "This is what is expected of us by the Croatian people and the President of the Republic as the Commander-in-Chief." Also present at the reception was the Croatian Army's chief-of- staff Lieutenant General Pavao Miljavac and Deputy Defence Minister Kresimir Cosic. (Hina) mbr lml 282027 MET sep 98