Partners in Peace

 History teaches us that small nations have to rely on their own resources and diplomatic wisdom to defend their independence, sovereignty and way of life.

 The Croatian people voted overwhelmingly in the 1991 plebiscite in favor of an independent, sovereign state. This expression of popular will was a courageous act because Croatia at the time did not have an army that could defend its people, values and country. Based on the strength and determination of Croatians for their independence, Croatia successfully defended itself in a "dirty war" imposed by Serb rebels and the Communist Yugoslav Army, at the time the fourth largest army in Europe.

 Croatia is today at peace because Croatian defense forces were able to successfully meet the challenges of its security. From the small defense force Croatia had at its independence, we built a strong, efficient and professional armed services organization which has proven itself and received praise from military leaders the world over. After limited military actions in May and August of 1995, Croatia's formerly occupied territories were reintegrated, thus paving the way for the Dayton Accords and furthering peace in our region. Great strides have been made in the process of peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian region under the administration of U.S. General Jacques Klein and through Croatia's diplomatic and military cooperation.

 The Croatian Army is being shaped to meet the standards of a Western democracy. We have achieved visible and tangible successes in advancing the civilian control of the military and in training our personnel in the role of the military in a democracy. These changes have come rather rapidly because our entire defense doctrine and system is largely free of communist era influence and because our military leadership and service personnel are dedicated and determined professionals.

 This process of transformation and harmonization with Western standards is continuing. Croatia, as a Central European and Mediterranean country, is strongly committed to resuming its place along side the Western community of democracies. We firmly believe that our security, values and way of life are best guaranteed by developing closer political, economic and military ties with the West while maintaining a responsible, NATO compatible, and well-trained domestic defense institutions.
 In the pursuit of this goal, Croatia knows that it is not alone and that we can count on our friends. As Secretary of Defense William J. Perry said: ". . . as the nation of Croatia struggles to recover from the war, to start over and build a new life for its people, the United States stands behind its efforts to let go of old mindsets and embrace new dreams."

As one of the most important goals in our foreign and national security policy, Croatian defense forces have maintained good bilateral relations with many countries. Cooperation between Croatian and U.S. defense forces has been of great importance. As the U.S. is the only remaining super power whose leadership remains indispensable to global peace and stability, Croatia values the role that America has played in Europe.

 The first U.S. military attache was sent to Zagreb soon after formal diplomatic relations were established between Croatia and the United States in August of 1992. Since, milestone military cooperation and understanding has gradually deepened and broadened in many fields. In November of 1994, Croatia and the U.S. signed a memorandum of cooperation, outlining a broad range of military cooperation programs. The memorandum is a testament to the growing importance that Croatia attaches to developing comprehensive relations with the U.S., and it also underscores how Croatia can help protect and promote U.S. security and strategic interests in our region and in Europe.

 Contacts between Croatia and the U.S. have intensified in the field of defense and security. Many cooperative programs have begun, and frequent meetings of military delegations at the highest levels have played a very important role in sharing views and helping to build solid understanding and mutual trust. This solid military-to-military relationship was personified by the close bonds between former U.S. Secretary of Defense William J. Perry and Croatian Defense Minister Gojko Susak, who met four times during 1996, and the cooperation between Croatia and the U.S. that continues as Secretary William Cohen leads the U.S. Defense Department into the new century.

 Croatia's determination to bring our defense doctrine and system closer to the principles of NATO is refleected in the recent purchase of Bell Helicopters. The goal is to switch completely from Eastern to Western systems by the year 2005. In October 1996, Croatia acquired 10 Bell206B-3 JetRangers to be used by the Croatian Air force for initial entry helicopter pilot training. This procurement is designed to bring Croatia closer to the West as part of our overall goal of joining the Partnership for Peace initiative and as a first step towards full membership in the NATO alliance.

 The area in which we have achieved the best results lies in the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
The benefits of this program are manifold because our combat-experienced-but-younger senior officers often lacked formal academic backgrounds. This program is funded by the U.S. Government, and in the 1996 fiscal year Croatia received $200,000 in furtherance of education and training. In addition, Croatia sent 24 young men and women to U.S. military schools in the pursuit of knowledge in non-combat-but-essential areas, such as civil-military relations, civilian control of the military, leadership skills, management, promotions and public relations. Some of them were sent to prestigious senior level military colleges. Last fall, after a rigorous competitive selection procedure, the first Croatian officer entered West Point. Frequent visits of U.S. mobile training teams have assisted Croatia in locating areas for improvement, identifying our needs and requirements, reorganization and transformation from a war-time to a peace-time defense system. With the assistance of U.S. expertise, we are also developing the Croatian Coast Guard, vital in protecting Croatia's security and in supporting U.S. goals in combating international narcotic trafficking.

 Other evidence of cooperation are frequent contacts with the U.S. European Command (EUCOM). In 1996, a eucom Liaison Office was established at the Croatian Ministry of Defense. The Office assists in coordinating a number of small programs-Joint Contact Team Programs-that contribute to developing closer relations and better understanding. One of the programs-the National Guard State Partnership Program-has been an effective tool of building bridges between Croatia and the U.S., for the full scope of the program can exceed its military aspects. At the beginning of 1996, the National Guard of Minnesota became Croatia's partner in this program.

 All these contacts have helped Croatia to forge closer ties with the U.S. and reach the standards of Western military, paving the way for our integration into Western security institutions.

 We hope that Croatia's cooperation with the international community in Eastern Slavonia, and its positive commitment and support for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its support for NATO operations in our region will enhance the opportunities for Croatia's membership in the Partnership for Peace initiative as the first step toward NATO membership.
 We hope that Croatia will not be left out in the cold. Croatia's participation in the Partnership for Peace initiative is of far reaching benefit not only for Croatia but for all member counties as the need for stability in Europe increases in order to promote economic growth and development. Furthermore, the initiative has demonstrated time and again its ability to advance the cause of peace and stability, encourage mutual understanding and trust, and finally, meet the challenges of resolving mutual problems, especially minority and border issues. Therefore, we strongly believe that by accepting Croatia as a member of Partnership for Peace, the West will be sending a clear message to other countries that have emerged from the former Yugoslavia: that democratization and a multi-ethnic society are the cornerstones of membership in Western institutions. A case-by-case acceptance of the countries that are most willing and prepared to join the Partnership for Peace initiative will be propitious factors in strengthening stability and order on the Continent. Croatia believes its membership in Partnership for Peace is close at hand, and we proudly look forward to our contribution to this important initiative.