PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HOSTS LUNCH FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS

( Editorial: --> 5088 ) ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday hosted a lunch for international guests and held a toast saying that many of them had in the past several years spent some time in Croatia and together with him and his associates, walked the thorny road of the historic battle for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Croatia. He expressed a wish that they all remember Croatia with fond memories and that they all gladly visit the Croatian Danube river region and other parts of Croatia. "It is with exceptional pleasure that I forward these words of greeting and gratitude to dear Francesco Cossiga who, as President of Italy, had been the first head of state to visit Croatia in the days of its international recognition," Tudjman said. "To those who remain for another short period of time in our country, such as the OSCE Mission and the Support Group of the UN civilian police, we wish a successful end to this mission. "We would like this to be another stimulus to the resolution of another more difficult and complex crisis, in neighbouring Bosnia- Herzegovina," Tudjman said. The former president of Italy, Francesco Cossiga, said that today was the result of Tudjman's courage, patience and rationality, as well as the intelligent actions of the United Nations. (hina) lm mm 162211 MET jan 98