PRESIDENT MESIC PRESENTS AWARDS TO 1SR GUARD BRIGADE "TIGROVI"

ZAGREB, Nov 3 (Hina) - Croatian President and chief commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Stipe Mesic on Friday awarded the 1st Guard Brigade of the Croatian Armed Forces, "Tigrovi" (The Tigers), with the the Order of Prince Domagoj with the Chain decoration, for their contribution in the defence of the country during the Croatian Homeland Defence War. President Mesic presented awards to them at Friday's ceremony in the "Croatia" barracks on the occasion of the marking of the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the special unit. In the defence of the Homeland, 373 members of "Tigrovi" were killed, 16 went missing and 1,713 were injured, while 186 were detained in camps. Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces 1st Guard Brigade Ivica Krizmanic presented President Mesic, Defence Minister Jozo Rados and head of the Croatian Armed Forces Main Staff Petar Stipetic with medallions of the 1st Guard Brigade. The same award was presented to war commanders of the unit. President Mesic, Minister Rados and General Stipetic held talks in the "Croatia" barracks with members of the families of killed Croatian Homeland Defence War soldiers and Croatian Homeland Defence War invalids. The President and his associates promised assistance in solving housing issues, employment and care for Homeland Defence War invalids. (hina) it jn