TUDJMAN'S CLOSE ASSOCIATES SPEAK AFTER CENTRAL COMMEMORATION

ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - Several of late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's close associates gave statements after a central commemoration held in his honour on Sunday. President Tudjman's death marks the end of an epoch, said Zarko Domljan, the first president of Croatia's first multiparty parliament after the 1990 elections. President Tudjman's place in history is guaranteed and no circumstances, nothing ahead can change that, he asserted. "Everything someone said would not be enough," said Ivan Milas, President Tudjman's longtime friend and an MP on several mandates. "The time when Franjo Tudjman will be truly written and spoken about is yet to come. His monument is the Croatian state. That is what will connect everything - his current enemies and friends, but not the true enemies who never wanted a Croatian state," Milas said. Mato Simic, who for many years headed the displaced persons' association, said Croatian displaced persons and returnees in President Tudjman saw support. "All the promises he gave us he fulfilled, and we all have the possibility to return to our former place of residence," he said. "I take a deep bow in memory of that man and what he did. We must be even more realistic in opening towards the future and stronger in facing the challenges that await us," said general Ante Roso, who under the leadership of President Tudjman participated in the creation of the Croatian army and in the defence of the homeland from the very beginning. (hina) ha