HDZ MARKS THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OF FIRST CROATIAN PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Tuesday held a commemorative service marking the third anniversary of the death of the first Croatian President and HDZ founder, Franjo Tudjman. #L# Speaking at the commemoration held at the full Zagreb City Hall, HDZ President Ivo Sanader said Franjo Tudjman was a man who had visions and courage in the struggle for Croatia's freedom and independence. "We don't have the right to forget President Tudjman and those who gave their lives for Croatia's freedom in the Homeland War," Sanader said. "A speech about the first Croatian president is not a speech by which we remember the days during which we created Croatia and gained international recognition, but it is a speech about the future," Sanader said. President Tudjman is no longer with us but that which he accomplished is long-lasting work, Sanader said and called for the end to disagreements regarding Franjo Tudjman's historical role. He said that president Tudjman opposed plans of a part of the international community on Croatia being dragged in Balkan associations. Sanader says that the HDZ will never accept the term of "western Balkans", which has been present for about three years. The HDZ president called for a consensus of all political parties regarding Croatia's joining European associations because Croatia was a Central European and Mediterranean country. He also reminded of "several historical truths which must not be forgotten". Sanader said that late president Tudjman advised Bosnian Croats to attend a referendum and vote for an independent Bosnia- Herzegovina. As the second historical truth, Sanader mentioned the fact that Croatia was among the first countries to recognise Bosnia- Herzegovina and send its ambassador to the country. A delegation of the HDZ presidency on Tuesday morning laid wreaths at the Homeland Altar on Zagreb's Medvednica mountain. (hina) it sb