ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina) - Delegations of the Croatian government and parliament on Sunday commemorated the first anniversary of the death of the first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman by laying wreaths and lighting candles at his grave
at Zagreb's Mirogoj cemetery.
ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina) - Delegations of the Croatian government and
parliament on Sunday commemorated the first anniversary of the
death of the first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman by laying
wreaths and lighting candles at his grave at Zagreb's Mirogoj
cemetery. #L#
Several thousand citizens, members and supporters of the Croatian
Democratic Union (HDZ) party, and veterans' associations gathered
at the cemetery to commemorate Tudjman.
Parliament vice-presidents Zdravko Tomac and Ivica Kostovic laid
wreaths on behalf of the Croatian Sabor and a delegation including
Vice Premiers Goran Granic and Zeljka Antunovic laid wreaths on
behalf of the Government.
Sabor and government vice-presidents Zdravko Tomac and Goran
Granic respectively stressed Tudjman's important role in the
establishment of the Croatian state and its defence.
"Today we remember the president who was at the helm of the state in
its most difficult moments," said Granic, adding that Tudjman had
many merits but that he had also made mistakes.
History will judge his positive and negative sides, he added.
Delegations of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and Democratic
Centre (DC) also laid wreaths at Tudjman's grave.
Citizens who gathered for the commemoration chanted the name of the
late president and sang patriotic songs.
Large crowds formed around the grave occasionally and frequent
insults shouted at reporters and representatives of authority
could be heard.
The commemoration was attended by numerous citizens from other
parts of Croatia and abroad.
(hina) rml