COMMEMORATION IN HONOUR OF LATE PRESIDENT TUDJMAN STARTS C

ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - Steadfast, authentic, daring, resolute, focused, unstoppable, persistent, upright, victorious - these are the words Croatian Parliament President Vlatko Pavletic used when describing the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman at the beginning of the main commemoration in Zagreb's 'Vatroslav Lisinski' hall on Saturday. Pavletic said President Tudjman was "the only bright exception as a Croatian politician and statesman, a commander in chief and victor - all in one person". Those attending the commemoration paid tribute to the first Croatian president, the creator of the independent and sovereign Croatian state, with a minute of silence. Paying tribute to the late Croatian President started with the national anthem "Lijepa nasa" (Our Beautiful Homeland), and the performance of Bach's work 'Air', Suite 2 for the orchestra in D major. The commemorative meeting is attended by the members of the Tudjman family, his associates, representatives of legislative, executive and judicial authority, diplomatic-consular corps, Church, and scientific, cultural, public and many other institutions. The commemoration will also be addressed by Premier Zlatko Matesa, Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences President Ivo Padovan, Ante Beljo on behalf of the Croatian Diaspora, and the head of the diplomatic corps in Croatia, apostolic nuncio Giulio Einaudi. (hina) rml