ANNAN, HOLBROOKE, AND OTHER FOREIGN DIPLOMATS OFFER CONDOLENCES

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, Dec 15 (Hina) - The United Nations Secretary- General Koffi Annan on Tuesday signed a book of condolence opened by Croatia's Permanent Mission to the UN on the death of President Franjo Tudjman. I am sure that all Croatians want to live in peace in their country as a democratic full member-state of the UN, the World Organisation's Secretary-General wrote offering his deep sympathy to the Croatian people. He also forwarded a letter of condolence to Croatian National Parliament's President Vlatko Pavletic. The book of condolence, opened by the Croatian Permanent Mission, was signed by diplomatic representatives of about a hundred countries, and by Ambassadors of all the five permanent UN Security Council member-states. U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke conveyed condolences on behalf of the U.S. Administration. As a friend I will always remember the contribution of the late President Tudjman to the 1995 Dayton peace accords and on many other occasions, Ambassador Holbrooke wrote. A book of condolence, opened at Croatia's Embassy in Washington, was signed by many members of the Diplomatic Corps in the U.S. capital, representatives of international organisations such as the World Bank and the Organisation of American Countries, the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), and numerous individuals. Washington Mayor Anthony Williams extended condolences. On behalf of the U.S Administration and the State Department, an assistant to the State Department protocol head, Lawrence Dunham, signed the book of condolence. Books of condolence in all Croatian diplomatic and consular offices in North America were open from Sunday to Tuesday evening. (hina) ms