CROATIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES A DELEGATION OF TERRITORIAL DEFENCE OF

OF $ FICERS ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - In connection with the 125th anniversary of the Croatian Home Guard (territorial defence), Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Saturday received a delegation of the Home Guard, headed by Major-General Zvonimir Cervenko. The delegation informed President Tudjman of celebrations to be held on December 4-5 to mark the anniversary. Major-General Cervenko delivered a brief speech on historical background of the Home Guard in Croatia as well as of its role today. By the decision of the Croatian president of 24 December 1991, the Home Guard was organized as a separate part of the Croatian armed forces. President Tudjman said that "the intensity of aggression on Croatia could be stopped only on condition that the entire Croatian people was ready for defence, and one of the best forms of a total defence is the territorial defence. Many other countries, not orientated towards wars of conquest but on defence and protection of their integrity, have been and are developing such forms of defence." Observing of the 125th anniversary of the Croatian Home Guard "must in no way be grounds for our enemies' judgment that Croatia is preparing exclusively for a military option," President Tudjman stressed. President Tudjman said that the Croatian policy was aimed at seeking a peaceful and political solution, which had been expounded unambiguously in his peace initiative as well as at last week's conference in Geneva and at a CSCE ministerial meeting in Rome. "In that regard, Croatia was given unreserved support by Europe and the world, and with the assistance of the international community this will not be given up," President Tudjman noted. The armed forces of the Republic of Croatia, including the Home Guard, must continue being trained and organized professionally, but only to protect the territorial integrity and independence of the Croatian state, President Tudjman stressed. The reception was also attended by head of the President's Office Jure Radic, Deputy Defence Minister Josip Juras, Croatian Army Commander-in-Chief General Janko Bobetko, Brigadier Drago Krpina and Brigadier Kresimir Kaspar, said a statement issued by the President's Office. 041746 MET dec 93