CROATIA: US-CROATIAN MILITARY EXERCISES

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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English/Nat XFA In the first ever bilateral U-S-Croatian amphibious military exercises, U-S and Croat naval forces have simulated a landing operation on an island in the Adriatic Sea in an exercise meant to train the military of the former Yugoslav republic. Croatia is a new member of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, which allows the nation to participate in many of NATO activities without being a member of the alliance. The exercise on Tuesday, dubbed "Phiblex 2000," also testifies to vastly improved relations between Croatia and the United States following the election of a new, pro-Western government there earlier this year. But the timing of the exercise - two days after elections in neighbouring Yugoslavia - led to speculation that it serves to discourage Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic from exerting force to ensure he stays in power. The U-S-S Austin was just 240 kilometres (150 miles) northwest of Yugoslavia's pro-Western republic of Montenegro for during the U-S-Croat military exercise on Tuesday. The ship's commanding officer denied claims that the exercise was meant to discourage Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic from exerting force to ensure he stays in power, saying it was planned months ago and "has no relation" to the Yugoslav elections. But he said he was aware of the vote. Yugoslavia's government has now said opposition presidential candidate Vojislav Kostunica finished first in the weekend presidential elections. State television said he'll now compete again with Milosevic in a runoff. Prior to the elections, American officials expressed concerns for the safety of Montenegro's pro-Western leader Milo Djukanovic, who may be targeted by his adversary, Milosevic. One U-S Marine said both forces would profit from Tuesday's bilateral military exercise. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It's a great opportunity for all of us, both Americans and Croatians, to work together on such an exercise, this amphibious assault on the island. Anytime you can get two forces working together everyone profits from it." SUPER CAPTION: US Marine About 400 sailors and 200 Marines from the amphibious assault ship U-S-S Austin and 400 Croatian soldiers jumped into Zodiac rubber boats and simulated a landing operation on the Croatian island of Zirje in the Adriatic Sea. As they approached the largely deserted island, Marines used small flares to disguise the landing spots, while some Croatian soldiers took off from U-S-S Austin in Croatian MI-8 helicopters and landed on Zirje. Croatian Deputy Defence Minister Zlatko Gareljic watched the exercise from the U-S-S Austin. The Major General of the Croatian 4th Brigade described the main objective of the exercise. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The main objective for us is to check our interoperability and compatibility with United States armed forces, but also with any other forces from NATO countries." SUPER CAPTION: Damir Kristicevic, Major General of the Croatian 4th Brigade and Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff It was the largest and most demanding joint Croat-U-S exercise to date. When asked if his forces would take action if Milosevic exerted force following the Yugoslav elections, the commander of the U-S Marines said his troops were ready to carry out missions as directed. SOUNDBITE: (English) "(Q Will your forces take action if things turn nasty in Belgrade after the elections?) The Marines expeditionary unit and the amphibious ready group come to the Mediterranean for six-month deployments. We are ready to do missions whenever we are directed to. That's what we do for a living." SUPER CAPTION: Lt Col Paul Brygider, Commander of Marines troops The country is now seeking full NATO membership. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/a2dcd9148e27186fda133d0bbe8c9dd3 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork