HDZ HOLDS SPECIAL SESSION MARKING NINTH ANNIVERSARY

( Editorial: --> 1991 ) ZAGREB, June 17 (Hina) - Without the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) the survival of the Croatian state and the interests of the Croat people in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) remain in danger, the vice president of the ruling HDZ Vladimir Seks said Wednesday. "We must resist pressure from outside and foreign interests which want to underestimate the Croatian people's struggle for freedom and independence in Croatia and BH", Seks told a special party gathering on the occasion of the party's ninth anniversary. HDZ secretary-general Ivan Valent said in the future the party will be faced with adjusting principles of social justice and market economy and turning to western values. Today's gathering was also attended by Croatian National Parliament speaker Vlatko Pavletic, House of Counties president Katica Ivanisevic, Premier Zlatko Matesa, and other state and party officials, as well as the party's founders. Also in attendance was a delegation of the HDZ of BH, headed by HDZ BH president Ante Jelavic. (hina) ha as 172052 MET jun 98