WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT MEDVEDGRAD IN MEMORY OF BLEIBURG

ZAGREB, May 15 (Hina) - On the occasion of May 15, when is the Remembrance Day of Bleiburg Victims and the Way of Cross Victims, delegations of Croatian President, the National Parliament and the Government today laid wreaths at the Altar of Homeland at Medvedgrad, outside Zagreb. On behalf of President Franjo Tudjman, his chief-of-staff Ivica Kostovic placed a wreath and signed the visitors' book. In the book Kostovic wrote that the strength of a nation lies on possibility that it pays tribute to the victims from its ranks. "The democratic Croatia enables the Croatian people and all of its citizens to express and honour the memory of all victims. Thus we remember the Bleiburg tragedy - helpless victims in Bleiburg and victims of the Way of Cross," Kostovic added. The delegation of the Sabor was led by Katica Ivanisevic the President of the House of Counties. She said that today was a sad day in the Croatian history and expressed gratitude to all who had given their lives for the freedom of Croatia in history. On behalf of the Government, Ministers Zeljko Reiner, Bozo Biskupic and Milan Kovac, laid a wreath at the Altar of Homeland. Minister Reiner said that this was a moment when Croatia, with pains in its heart, remembered those who had fallen for the country and its freedom but it was also a moment which taught all Croats about the necessity to be united. Delegations of the Croatian Homeland War Veterans' Association , and their guests from Italy's "Bells of Peace" association of war veterans, also placed wreaths at the Altar of Homeland. (hina) ms