HNS:TUDJMAN MARKED FIRST TEN YEARS OF CROATIA'S STATEHOOD

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - The Croatian People's Party (HNS) is sure that by the death of President Tudjman, Croatia and its citizens have lost a strong personality that left an indelible mark on the first ten years of Croatia's statehood. Therefore the HNS, along with all Croatian people, expressed deep sorrow at the death of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, read a statement signed by the HNS President Radimir Cacic. Franjo Tudjman was the first Croatian President elected according to the will of the Croatian people at the direct elections in 1992 and re-elected at the presidential election in 1997. He was the President of Croatia during the most fateful moments of its creation, when the Croatian people voted, through a plebiscite, for the independent state and resisted the Greater Serbian policy and the then Yugoslav Army (JNA). Having the excellent political instinct, President Tudjman, at those moments, formed the government of the national salvation, which, supported by the entire nation, established the Croatian Army to defend Croatia during the Homeland War. President Tudjman was at the helm of Croatia at the moments of its greatest military victories- military and police operations "Flesh" and "Storm". He will be certainly remembered as a figure leading Croatia while it was winning its independence in 1991 and while it was recognised by the international community in 1992, the HNS statement read. (hina) ms