TRIBUTES TO SUSAK DELIVERED IN FRONT OF MORTUARY CHAMBER

( Editorial: --> 2203 ) ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - More than 20,000 people gathered Thursday to pay their last respects to the late Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak at Zagreb's Mirogoj Cemetery. The coffin, covered with the Croatian flag, was brought by representatives and high officials of the Croatian Army before the mortuary chamber. The service was led by Military Ordinary Juraj Jezerinac. The first to deliver a eulogy was Croatian Army chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Pavao Miljavac. "First and above all, Gojko Susak was a great man whom Croatian soldiers will remember forever, as he entrusted them with the task to continue his work so that Croatia might become a country of beauty, welfare and overall human harmony," Miljavac said speaking on behalf of the Croatian armed forces. Siroki Brijeg Mayor Mato Loncar, Croatian Defence Council commander Major General Stanko Lopta and Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina president Bozo Rajic spoke on behalf of Susak's birthplace Siroki Brijeg and BH. Susak's work and activity during 22 years in emigration were recalled by Croatian Homeland Foundation president Ante Beljo. Retired General of the Army Janko Bobetko said he was proud to have worked with Susak in daily discussions on how to carry out Croatia's historic task with as little victims as possible. Franciscan provincial head, friar Andjelko Pervan, and Mostar Bishop Ratko Peric also bid the last farewell to Minister Susak. The US President's envoy, William Perry, stressed that Croatia's long road to independence and freedom would have been much longer and thornier but for Minister Susak. To illustrate the ideal in service to which Susak lived his life, he quoted from Croatian Baroque period poet Ivan Gundulic's famous ode to freedom. On behalf of his friends and colleagues from the Croatian Government, the last to say farewell to Minister Susak in front of the mortuary chamber was Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, who remembered Susak as a "simple, dear man of few words, but true to his word". "You are here with us, in your works and our memories," Matesa said, visibly moved. After the valedictory speeches, a cortege followed the hearse to Minister Susak's last resting place in a section of the cemetery reserved for Croatian defenders, to the sound of Croatian army drums. (hina) as ha /mb 071450 MET may 98