ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Croatia's independence and Statehood Day in 1995, and in line with a proposal by 87 representatives of its both houses, the Croatian National Parliament bestowed nine
decorations on Croatian President Franjo Tudjman at a session held on May 29, 1995. The decorations were handed to the President by the then Croatian Parliament President Nedjeljko Mihanovic at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on May 29, 1995. President Tudjman was awarded:1. The Grand Order of King Tomislav with the Sash and the Great Morning Star, for his decisiveness in the establishment of a sovereign Croatia and his exceptional contribution to its international reputation and position;2. The Grand Order of King Petar Kresimir IV with the Sash and the Morning Star, for his exceptional contribution to the creation of the war strategy and doctrine, and his exc
ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of
Croatia's independence and Statehood Day in 1995, and in line with a
proposal by 87 representatives of its both houses, the Croatian
National Parliament bestowed nine decorations on Croatian
President Franjo Tudjman at a session held on May 29, 1995.
The decorations were handed to the President by the then Croatian
Parliament President Nedjeljko Mihanovic at a ceremony held at the
Presidential Palace on May 29, 1995.
President Tudjman was awarded:
1. The Grand Order of King Tomislav with the Sash and the Great
Morning Star, for his decisiveness in the establishment of a
sovereign Croatia and his exceptional contribution to its
international reputation and position;
2. The Grand Order of King Petar Kresimir IV with the Sash and the
Morning Star, for his exceptional contribution to the creation of
the war strategy and doctrine, and his exceptional merits in the
organisation of the Croatian Army;
3. The Order of Prince Domagoj with the Chain, for the courage he
demonstrated in immediate war danger;
4. The Order of Ante Starcevic, for his significant contribution in
preserving and developing the idea of Croatian statehood;
5. The Order of Stjepan Radic, for his special merits and sacrifice
in the fight for the national and social rights of the Croatian
people;
6. The Order of the Croatian Morning Star with the Image of Rudjer
Boskovic, for his exceptional achievements in researching Croatian
and general history;
7. The Order of the Croatian Clover, for his exceptional merits
earned during the war;
8. The Memorial of the Croatian Homeland War, for his participation
on all sides in Croatia's resistance to the aggression;
9. The Memorial of Homeland Gratitude, for his overall contribution
to the struggle of the Croatian people and for his exemplary and
responsible leadership in the first five years of his service as the
head of state.
An explanation accompanying the decision read, "Dr. Franjo Tudjman
dedicated the best years of his life to the struggle of the Croatian
people to be equal among other peoples and to its independence.
Into that fight he invested all of his efforts, devising the
Croatian state strategy and tactics and implementing preparations
for the decisive battles which were to some. In that fight, he faced
suffering and victims, aware that the path leading to the victory
was thorny both for individuals and the people as a whole.
The merits and contribution of Dr Franjo Tudjman, as a statesman,
national fighter, politician, and scientist-historian for the
Croatian people and state surpass the achievements of any
individual in recent Croatian history.
The awarding of the decorations and memorials is a sign of gratitude
of the Croatian homeland and its Parliament."
For his exceptional contribution in preparing and commanding the
Croatian Armed Forces in operations aimed at liberating western
Slavonia; for the joint operations of the Croatian Army, Croatian
Defence Council and the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina aimed at
liberating western Bosnia; and for the liberation of northern
Dalmatia, Lika, Kordun, and Banija in 1995, the State Commission
for Military Decorations on May 15, 1996 awarded the President of
the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces
"Flash", "Summer 95", "Storm" and "Exceptional Undertaking"
medals.
(hina) rml