MESIC EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES IN WAKE OF GENERAL REAY'S DEATH

ZAGREB, Dec 21 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Thursday expressed condolences to Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien for the tragic demise of Canadian General Gordon Reay, the Croatian President's Office reported. General Reay died in a car accident in Zagreb. "In his long career, General Reay honourably served his homeland Canada, and as an advisor for the Canadian Ambassador to Croatia he helped in a difficult demining task in war affected Croatian areas", read the message of the Croatian President. "Croatia lost a true friend with General Reay's death. Mister Prime Minister, I am offering you condolences on behalf of the citizens of Croatia and myself", the message read. President Mesic on Thursday posthumously decorated General Gordon Reay. General Reay on Thursday succumbed to injuries received in a traffic accident on the Zagreb-Karlovac highway on December 13. Retired Canadian General Reay was a special advisor for the Canadian Ambassador to Croatia in charge of battling the problem of mines and was the head of a forum of the Stability Pact for humanitarian mine-clearance in Croatia. (hina) it