VARAZDIN MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION

VARAZDIN, Sept 22 (Hina) - Seizing the Varazdin barracks was one of the most important victories of the Homeland War because we seized the weapons which made Croatia's defence possible, President Stjepan Mesic said in the northern Croatian city on Saturday. Most of the weapons seized in the Homeland War were from Varazdin, and they made it possible to strengthen our defence and push the aggressor out of Croatia's territory on other battlefields as well, Mesic told reporters before the start of a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of Varazdin's liberation. Before the ceremony, Mesic held a meeting with members of the 1991 city crisis headquarters and decorated them. Public Works Minister Radimir Cacic was decorated with the Order of King Domagoj with the Chain for successfully completing negotiations on the surrender of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) barracks in the city, and for carrying out the operation. Other members of the headquarters - Kresimir Cop, Ivan Rukljic, Vladimir Matjacic, Cedomil Cesarec, Ivan Zitnjak, Milan Lackovic and Zlatko Horvat were decorated with medals for extraordinary merits as was Ivan Bakaric, who was decorated posthumously. Varazdin mayor Ivan Cehok and Defence Minister Jozo Rados, who were present at the meeting, signed a deed of donation by which the Government donated the former barracks Petar Kresimir IV to the city. Addressing the gathered in the central city square, the President said Varazdin had a long tradition of defence against conquerors. Conducting the negotiations wisely, the crisis headquarters saved the city from destruction, secured a sizeable amount of weapons and contributed to the victory in the Homeland War, he said. He added that some "are trying to deny Homeland War values by revising history." City and state officials addressed the gathered as well. Wreaths were laid at the Varazdin cemetery in memory of the killed Homeland War soldiers. (hina) rml