Farewell Ceremony of 20th CAF ISAF contingent

Farewell was attended by the Croatian President and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipović, Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić, Deputy Chief Director of Police Dražen Vitez, and other officials of the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry.

During the address to members of the contingent, Josipovic expressed pride with the contribution of previous Croatian contingents in ISAF, with the belief that it was shared by all citizens of the Republic of Croatia. Speaking about the mission, Josipović said that it presents a great challenge for everyone who was and will be there. Some aspects of the mission may not be a military one, but only a well-trained military can accomplish them, the President concluded.

Defence Minister Kotromanović warned soldiers that the time of preparation and training was over, now comes the time of action and tasks. Be real soldiers, worthy of the MOD and the Armed Forces, and do not get into a routine, the Minister said, adding that it was important that members of the contingent guard themselves and each other, and to respect the country they go, its people and customs.

Chief of General Staff General Lovrić recalled that the first contingent of the Armed Forces was deployed in ISAF in February 2003 and stressed the need to thank all the servicemen who have successfully completed the mission. Members of the 20^th ISAF contingent will certainly enrich with the new knowledge and experience, Lovrić said, warning them that Afghanistan was still a sensitive area, which make the tasks much more demanding.

Commander of the 20^th contingent of the Armed Forces, Colonel Željko Dadić, believed that the contingent, just as the previous ones, would perform its mission expertly and professionally. For that members have been fully prepared, Dadić concluded.

20^th contingent consist of 259 CAF servicemen, 4 members of the Ministry of Interior, and 8 members who come from the armed forces of allied and partner nations (Albania, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia). 35 members (33 from the CAF, 2 from partner countries) who have been already in Afghanistan will be also assigned to the 20^th contingent.