TUDJMAN AWARDS SUSAK POSTHUMOUS DECORATION AND PROMOTION

( Editorial: --> 1708 ) ZAGREB, May 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Tuesday awarded a posthumous decoration to the late Defence Minister Gojko Susak and promoted him to the rank of General of the Army. "Alongside the decorations already awarded, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, Mr Gojko Susak, is hereby posthumously decorated for merit in organising the Croatian armed forces and for his exceptional self-sacrifice, skill and personal courage in leading the Homeland War to a victorious end - with the High Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with Sash and Morning Star, the Order of Nikola Subic Zrinski and the Order of Stjepan Radic," the decision said. The decision comes into force immediately. (Hina) mb /as 051623 MET may 98