CROATIAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES HIS BEST WISHES FOR NEW YEAR

( Editorial: --> 1849 ) ZAGREB, Jan 1 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman with his wife Ankica, top state officials, public figures and celebrities welcomed in the New Year at Hotel Inter-Continental in Zagreb. Asked by reporters what he could say to Croatians in 1998, Tudjman wished everybody well, much health and inner contentment. "May this year be better to everybody, although the last one was not bad," the Croatian President said. "I send my best wishes to all Croatians in the homeland and abroad and to all citizens of Croatia," Tudjman said adding that everybody must realise that what will become of 1998, depends on everybody's personal efforts they make in their lives, jobs, towns and cities, counties and the whole of Croatia. "Everything depends on us and we should not expect anything from others," he said. Tudjman stressed that authority would be in the interest of the individual ad the State and reiterated that all should contribute to the goal that Croatia may be free, democratic and rich just what people wish. (hina) mm mš 011116 MET jan 98