US EMBASSY ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUSAK'S DEATH

( Editorial: --> 1463 ) ZAGREB, May 4 (Hina) - The Embassy of the United States issued a statement on the death of the Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak on Monday. We received today with sadness the news on the death of Defence Minister Gojko Susak. He was a leader and a true Croatian patriot, of crucial importance in the fight for Croatia's independence. His legacy and vision will be realised when the Croatian armed forces take their place in western security organisations. Important steps in that direction have already been made during his leadership. We appreciate and are grateful for the help Minister Susak was always willing to give in a whole range of issues, including the deployment of the Stabilisation Forces and the overall implementation of the Dayton Agreement. Minister Susak was the central figure in deepening and strengthening cooperation between Croatia and the United States. We mourn his death and send our prayers and sympathy to his family and friends, the statement from the US Embassy said. (hina) rm/mrb 041658 MET may 98