BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AND OTHER OFFICIALS OFFER CONDOLENCES

SARAJEVO, Dec 12 (Hina) - On his own behalf and on behalf of the Ministry at whose helm he is, Bosnia-Herzegovina's Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic forwarded a letter of condolence on Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's death to the Croatian Embassy in Sarajevo. Describing Tudjman as the founder of the free and independent Croatia, Prlic said the late Croatian President was an important factor during crucial developments in this part of Europe in a very dramatic decade. Bosnian Foreign Minister recalled that by signing important peace agreements President Tudjman gave decisive stimulation to the cooperation between Bosnia and Croatia. Bosnia's Croat-Moslem Federation's Premier Edhem Bicakcic sent a letter of condolence to his Croatian counterpart Zlatko Matesa and Croatian Ambassador in Sarajevo Damir Zoric. The Federation's Vice Premier Dragan Covic extended his condolences to the late President's family, the Croatian National Sabor's President Vlatko Pavletic who is the acting President of Croatia and the ruling Croatian Democratic Union's Presidency. The federal officials described Tudjman's departure as a great loss for the Croatian people. Messages of condolence are being forwarded to Croatia's Embassy by political parties as well. The Embassy and Croatia's consulates general in Mostar, Tuzla and Bihac on Sunday opened books of condolence for signing. Numerous representatives of Bosnian authorities, politicians, Diplomatic Corps members and common people have been signing them. (hina) ms