ZAGREB, Aug 8 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman gave an address at the opening ceremony of the Second Military World Games in Zagreb Sunday. On behalf of the Croatian people, "one of the oldest nations in present-day Europe,"
Tudjman welcomed and greeted all those who arrived from 78 countries to participate in the 2nd MWG in Zagreb. He expressed satisfaction with the fact that Croatia was hosting the Games in the present-day global circumstances. "In its present day homeland, the Croatian people has experienced an eventful political and military history. From the seventh century Croatia developed, under its national rulers, kings Tomislav and Kresimir, in particular, into a mighty regional power with a strong army and navy. Considering its transitional geopolitical position in a region distinguished by poignant religious and civilisational contrasts, Croatia was bulwark against Frankish and Byzantine
ZAGREB, Aug 8 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman gave an
address at the opening ceremony of the Second Military World Games
in Zagreb Sunday.
On behalf of the Croatian people, "one of the oldest nations in
present-day Europe," Tudjman welcomed and greeted all those who
arrived from 78 countries to participate in the 2nd MWG in Zagreb.
He expressed satisfaction with the fact that Croatia was hosting
the Games in the present-day global circumstances.
"In its present day homeland, the Croatian people has experienced
an eventful political and military history. From the seventh
century Croatia developed, under its national rulers, kings
Tomislav and Kresimir, in particular, into a mighty regional power
with a strong army and navy.
Considering its transitional geopolitical position in a region
distinguished by poignant religious and civilisational contrasts,
Croatia was bulwark against Frankish and Byzantine conquests,
followed by later Venetian, Ottoman and other imperialist
inroads," Tudjman said.
Croatian intellectuals fostered their culture at the highest
levels even in circumstances of war, while Croatia's soldiers
spread the glory of their arms and courage in many wars from the
Crusades and Napoleonic wars to many other conflicts, Tudjman said
in his address.
In terms of later-day history, in spite of Hitler's endeavours to
politically and militarily integrate Croatia into his New European
Order, the Croatian anti-Fascist Partisan movement was stronger
than in any other Yugoslav or European country, he stressed.
In our time, having regained its independence in the years of the
Communist and Greater Serbian aggression in 1991-1993, Croatia has
succeeded in building its armed forces which scored in 1995
astonishing and admirable victories over the Yugoslav People's
Army (JNA), then considered to be the fourth largest military power
in Europe, Tudjman said.
"Ever since, Croatia has focused its efforts on building the
Croatian Armed Forces on modern principles of democratic society. I
am convinced that we have also had the opportunity to witness this
during the preparations for these Military World Games," Tudjman
said.
"Since times immemorial, the army has always been an instrument for
implementing a specific policy by other means, i.e., by armed
force. Those protecting national and state interests and
territories and their expansion -- that is, expansionist and
imperialistic goals," Tudjman said, stressing in these times,
nothing had changed from the ancient times to the present day.
In the present day, however, the army assumes a greater manifold
importance within the scope of the increasing democratisation of
social trends. With their strategic military judgements, modern
armies can have an increasingly greater impact -- not only on
internal industrial and technological development, but also in
political decisions, Tudjman said.
"Armies directly influence the development of relations between
nations by the very conduct of war -- by the observance of disregard
of the standards of international war law".
"Through mutual knowledge and appreciation, armies can also serve
to prevent military conflicts and contribute to the humanisation of
war. I believe that these MWG can also greatly contribute to that
goal," Tudjman stressed.
"In this regard, let me note the praise-worthy efforts of the
founders of the International Military Sport Council when they
promoted, immediately after the end of World War II, the idea of a
sports competition intended to foster peace and friendship among
the world's armies," Tudjman said, adding "I hope that these Games
here in Croatia will serve the same noble aspirations".
The Croatian people and the Croatian armed forces are ready to
provide their own, constructive and active contribution, he said.
"We would like to take advantage of your arrival and stay in Croatia
to acquaint you as much as possible with our past and present, with
our armed forces, and with our culture created in this country over
the past 14 centuries: in particular, this regards our history to
the past decade when we resurrected, using our own resources and
God's help, the independence of our state and become an equal member
of the global community of free nations and sovereign states.
In the ancient times the participants of Olympic Games knew how to
find the wisdom and strength to stop mutual conflicts and war during
the Games. The present-day world, in its aspirations to establish a
stable international order, and develop a democratic civilisation,
ought to find more wisdom and good will in order to avoid military
strife and promote cooperation and friendly relations among
nations and states, as well as civilisations."
"I hope that these military sports games will serve this noble goal.
Therefore, let these competitions proceed in a chivalrous spirit
and focus on the achievement of best results. But they should also
foster mutual acquaintance and create the preconditions for future
partnerships and friendly relations -- in the interest of peace,
free economic and cultural development of all nations based on
their positive heritage, and overall aspirations of modern mankind
as laid down in the principles of the United Nations Charter.
In looking forward to a good and successful sports event, and hoping
that you will get to know Croatia better and enjoy your stay here, I
hereby declare the Second Military World Games in Zagreb open,"
Tudjman said.
(hina) lml