CROATIA WANTS TO RESUME ARMS SALE TO KUWAIT

KUWAIT, March 9 (Hina) - The current visit by Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa to Kuwait may restart the sale of Croatian-made military hardware, particularly tanks and naval vessels, to Kuwait. "Kuwait is very interested in resuming the cooperation regarding tanks and is also interested in our shipbuilding, specifically in patrol boats and some other products," Croatian Assistant Defence Minister Vladimir Zagorec said on Sunday at the end of a two-day visit to the Gulf country. Zagorec, who is responsible for Croatian military industry matters at the Defence Ministry, discussed cooperation with Kuwaiti Defence Minister Sheikh Salem Sabah al-Salam al-Sabah and Army Commander in Chief General Ali Al Mu'Men. Croatia sent arms deliveries to Kuwait when it was part of former Yugoslavia. The Kuwaiti army used 120 M-84 tanks manufactured by the former Yugoslav military industry in the war of liberation from Iraqi occupation. With the breakup of former Yugoslavia, the cooperation with individual factories in the former republics was severed and Kuwait could no longer obtain services and spare parts for the tanks it had purchased. Croatia, having renewed the production of tanks, is now trying to restore ties with Kuwait. "Prospects for that are great since Kuwait has M- 84 tanks which need servicing," Zagorec said. Croatia will participate in a military exhibition in Abu Dabi on March 16-20 as part of its strategy to return its military industry to the Gulf Arab states. Croatia also wants to supersede the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, comprising Serbia and Montenegro, whose several dozen representatives work semiofficially in Kuwait. However, Kuwait is not satisfied with the quality of their services. Croatian officials explained in detail to Kuwaiti Defence Ministry and Army representatives that Croatia was fully capable of manufacturing M-84 tanks and other military products and providing maintenance. Prime Minister Matesa's visit was expected to create political foundations for military cooperation. In two weeks, Kuwait would request Croatia to present its offer for cooperation in individual areas. (hina) vm 091613 MET mar 97