HOME TOWN MOURNS LOSS OF LATE CROATIAN DEFENCE MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 1506 ) MOSTAR/SIROKI BRIJEG, May 4 (Hina) - Following news of the death of Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak on Monday, his birth place of Siroki Brijeg (in western Bosnia-Herzegovina) paid its respects by lowering flags at half-mast and closing all shops and commercial facilities. This afternoon the local radio station broadcast a large number of telegrams expressing condolences and sorrow over the death of the town's greatest son. The Western Herzegovina Canton government today passed a decision to declare May 5, 6 and 7 official days of mourning in the canton as a mark of respect and gratitude to the late Gojko Susak. Bosnian Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic said he was deeply affected by the death of the Croatian Defence Minister. Susak's death meant the "loss of an important bridge which united Croats in the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the diaspora in a specially composed and patriotic, humane and brotherly way," Prlic said. (hina) mb /rm 042106 MET may 98