SUSAK - PRESIDENT'S SYMPATHY TELEGRAMS

( Editorial: --> 1394 ) ZAGREB, May 4 (Hina) Croatian President Franjo Tudjman sent sympathy telegrams to the Defence Ministry and the Susak family on the death of Defence Minister, Gojko Susak. "Minister Susak performed his responsible and honourable duties in the most difficult period, when the Croatian state was created and its independence and territorial integrity defended. "In paying homage and respects to Minister Susak I call on you to continue his work of developing Croatia's defence as a guarantee for future security of the sovereign and independent state of Croatia," reads the telegram to the Defence Ministry, the army's chief-of-staff and all members of the Croatian Army. In his condolences to the Susak family, Tudjman expressed his deep grief over the death of his closest associate and personal friend, "the man who made an immeasurable personal contribution to the realisation of Croatian freedom". "Gojko performed the most responsible duties in the Croatian Democratic Union and the Croatian Government during the most difficult period of creating the Croatian state and during the Homeland War. "In Gojko's contribution to creating the Croatian dream, he unsparingly invested all his capabilities, patriotism and before all else human virtue - his example will forever remain an inspiration to all Croatian generations," reads the President's telegram. (hina) mrb/as 041445 MET may 98