SUSAK OPENS FIVE-DAY SEMINAR ON CIVILIAN-MILITARY RELATIONS

ZAGREB, March 3 (Hina) - A five-day seminar on civilian-military relations opened in Zagreb on Monday. The first such seminar in Croatia is being led by distinguished professors and researchers from the Center for Civilian and Military Relations of the Naval Postgraduate School of Monterey, California. The seminar is being attended by representatives of the Croatian Defence Ministry, the Croatian armed forces, the legislature and executive, national security officials and political parties. "The establishment of efficient civilian-military relations is one of the most important conditions for entry into Western defence and security systems as well as for strengthening the defence and security and political systems of a democratic state," Defence Minister Gojko Susak said in his opening remarks. Susak thanked the United States Government and Congress for financial support for the conduct of the seminar and for overall support regarding Croatia's democratic transition. Since the civilian control of the army is a basic characteristic of all Western democracies, as well as a precondition for NATO membership, its successful application here will mean a great deal in setting the pace of the process of integrating Croatia into Western institutions, US Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith said. Galbraith said that there were five preconditions for entry into NATO's Partnership for Peace programme: a democratically elected government, a free market economy, friendly relations with neighbours, a military structure in line with NATO principles, and last but not least, civilian control of the army. The working part of the gathering was opened by Donald Abenheim who spoke of challenges and dilemmas of civilian-military relations. (hina) vm mm 031247 MET mar 97