CROATIA PRESIDENT ATTENDS EVENT MARKING 60 YEARS OF CZECH BRIGADE

DARUVAR, Oct 18 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic attended in Daruvar on Saturday an event marking 60 years of the establishment of the Jan Zizka z Trocnova Czech brigade, the largest ethnic minority brigade in then occupied Europe, it was said today. #L# Welcoming the surviving members of the brigade, Mesic recalled that numerous ethnic Czechs and Slovaks had immeasurably contributed to the social development of Croatia. He singled out the first Zagreb Diocese bishop, Jan Duh, and the first Croatian cardinal, Juraj Haulik. Mesic said that in WWII, the Czechs and the Slovaks had joined the other peoples in this region in the fight against persecutions and nationalist hatred, which he added bore witness to the fact that the concept of national equality had been an integral part of the anti- fascist struggle. "That resistance placed Croatia among the winners of the Second World War and created the foundations of today's national independence." "Anti-fascism, the policy of national freedoms as well as respect for ethnic minorities are embedded in the foundations of the Republic of Croatia," the President said, recalling the contribution of the Czech and Slovak minorities as part of reserve units of the police and the National Guard Corps during the 1990s Homeland War. Mesic said Croatia's future was united Europe, of which it would be an equal member. "We all have to ensure the development of democracy and of the institutions of our political system". Speeches about the Czech brigade were also made by Bjelovar- Bilogora County prefect Damir Bajs, Daruvar mayor Zvonko Cegledi, Czech Ambassador Petr Burianek, and Slovak Ambassador Jan Petrik. The president of the Alliance of Anti-fascist Fighters and Anti- fascists of Croatia, Ivan Fumic, said the formation of the brigade had been a sign that people in that area wanted democracy and tolerance as well as an indicator of which road Europe should take after WWII. (hina) ha sb