PRIME MINISTER RACAN GIVES INDEPENDENCE DAY RECEPTION

ZAGREB, Oct 7 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday gave a reception at a government residence in Zagreb's Visoka Street on the occasion of Independence Day, October 8. The reception was attended by President Stjepan Mesic, Parliament President Zlatko Tomcic, government members, parliamentary deputies, Croatian Army officials, foreign diplomats, religious dignitaries and many distinguished public figures. #L# A statement released by the government's public relations office cited Racan as saying that the duty of every Croatian authority was to preserve and protect the greatness and justness of the Homeland War because Croatia's independence and sovereignty had been won in that war. The prime minister also stated that one had to responsibly protect Croatia's standing and reputation in the international community. "We will therefore, as recently stated by the Croatian Sabor, defend the justness and legitimacy of the Homeland War in international relations and before international institutions whenever it is necessary. We will defend the justness and legitimacy of the Homeland War also on the internal scene, by processing individual war crimes and crimes against humanitarian law, in cases when it has not been done yet. The Government is doing everything to make the Republic of Croatia a law-based country and will therefore persevere in bringing to justice all individuals who have committed crimes. Naturally, we will continue cooperating with the international community, including the International Criminal Tribunal, and respect all undertaken commitments," Racan said. He stated that Croatia remained open to Europe and the world, not because of possible pressures or fear of isolation, but because of its strong and sincere commitment to the same values, democracy and respect for human rights and freedoms. (hina) rml sb