CROATIAN MINISTERS EXPRESS GRIEF OVER PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S DEATH

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman was a unique historic figure, a man who realised Croatia's millennium dream, their own independent, free Croatian state. Tudjman's path should be followed, Croatian ministers Joso Skara, Zeljko Reiner, Ivan Pavlovic and Ivan Herak said Saturday. President Tudjman died late Friday night in hospital. I am grief-stricken because the President of the Republic, the greatest son of the Croatian people has died - a man who realised millennium dreams and wishes that we live in our own free, independent State of Croatia, Labour and Welfare Minister Joso Skara said. It is our responsibility to follow his path, to shape the Croatian state on the starting points and visions he created, Skara said. Health Minister Z,eljko Reiner said it was difficult to find the right words at a time when a charismatic persona as President Tudjman was, has left us. We who admired him, loved and respected him, we who worked with him on the realisation of his life dream, are left with an enormous void in our hearts. The Croatian people are left with the task to maintain his dream which he managed to realise, Reiner said. Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Ivan Pavlovic said President Tudjman had been a historic figure, unique in Croatian history. Generations of Croatians, my parents and grandparents, struggled for the goals he achieved and fought for, Pavlovic said. Tourism Minister Ivan Herak stressed he was proud to have been a member of the Government at whose helm was President Tudjman. (hina) lml