HDZ PRESIDENT SAYS FAREWELL TO LATE GENERAL BOBETKO

ZAGREB, May 2 (Hina) - Several thousand citizens, top state, military and party officials, said their last farewell to Croatian Army General Janko Bobetko outside Zagreb's Mirogoj Mortuary on Friday. #L# After a church ceremony, led by Military Ordinary, Bishop Juraj Jezerinac, Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) president Ivo Sanader said that General Bobetko was "a symbol of the reconciliation of the Croatian people, which is one of the most important foundations of Croatia's independence". Reminding about the life path of General Bobetko, Sanader said that the general had participated in and won both anti-fascists wars, World War II and the Homeland War. "However, after the Second World War General Bobetko, as well as other anti-fascists who dreamt about Croatia's freedom, was disappointed." During the Croatian Spring in 1971 he was replaced from the post of commander of the 5th Military District and forced to retire after which he had been placed under permanent surveillance by former Yugoslav intelligence services. In 1990 he joined the HDZ and the Croatian army in the fight for independence, Sanader said. The HDZ president stressed that through the military operations he led, Bobetko became a legend of Croatia's battles for freedom and independence. Sanader added that there were no stains on Bobetko's noble work. "Nobody can and will change the truth about the Homeland War which was just and of a liberation nature, as well as the role of General Bobetko in the defence of the state," Sanader said. Several thousands citizens paid respect to the late general outside the Mirogoj Mortuary. Along with top officials of almost all political parties, also present were Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Parliament president Zlatko Tomcic. The Office of the Croatian President sent a wreath. At the end of the ceremony, Bobetko's casket was transported to his hometown Crnac, near Sisak. (hina) it sb