ZAGREB, Jan 3 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Friday bestowed a medal of the "Prince Trpimir Order with a sash and the Croatian Morning Star" to a member of the former Yugoslavia's presidency, Bogic Bogicevic, for his
exceptional contribution to Croatia's independence and integrity and for a peaceful solution.
ZAGREB, Jan 3 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Friday
bestowed a medal of the "Prince Trpimir Order with a sash and the
Croatian Morning Star" to a member of the former Yugoslavia's
presidency, Bogic Bogicevic, for his exceptional contribution to
Croatia's independence and integrity and for a peaceful solution.
#L#
In his explanation, President Mesic said he was giving the medal to
Bogicevic "because of the work Bogicevic had done while member of
the presidency, which was important for the entire former
Yugoslavia."
Mesic also commended the principled stance of Bogicevic, who "tried
to see to it that the war does not break out and advocated that
problems be solved at the negotiating table."
Mesic recalled that Bogicevic had contributed to efforts aimed at
preventing the army from assuming authority in the former country.
Bogic Bogicevic, who was the Bosnian member of the former
Yugoslavia's presidency, advocated a peaceful solution of the
conflict. He spent the entire war in Sarajevo, and, being a Serb,
was accused, as he said, "of treason of Serb national interests".
In a speech for the occasion, Bogicevic said that even after all the
war events, his political principles had remained the same, and
pointed to the difficult situation in Bosnia and the need for the
return of refugees and displaced persons.
Mesic gave the medal to Bogicevic for his "extraordinary
contribution to the independence and integrity of the Republic of
Croatia through his opting for a democratic and peaceful solution
of problems which occurred as the former state disintegrated, as
well as for his support to the development of cooperation between
Croatia and Bosnia."
(hina) lml sb