CROATIAN TOP OFFICIALS PLACE WREATHS AT HOMELAND ALTAR

ZAGREB, Aug 5 (Hina) - On the occasion of Croatia's Homeland Gratitude Day, delegations of the President, the National Sabor and the Government, on Thursday placed wreaths on the Homeland Altar on Mount Medvednica overlooking Zagreb. "On the day of the magnificent victory of the Croatian army and people we remember all meanings of the Storm operation, the liberation of territory and the creation of preconditions for making peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube River Area. After the Storm operation, Croatia became a respectable regional power of key importance for peace and stability in this part of Europe," wrote Ivica Kostovic, the head of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's delegation, signing the visitors' book in Medvedgrad. On the fourth anniversary of the Storm liberation operation, delegations of the Sabor and the Government, led by Sabor's President Vlatko Pavletic and Interior Minister Ivan Penic respectively, laid wreaths and paid tribute to all who sacrificed themselves for the establishment of the free, independent and democratic Croatia. Wreaths were laid at the Homeland Altar by officials of the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Homeland War Veterans and the city of Zagreb. (hina) ms