PLAQUE REVEALED HONOURING KILLED POLICE OFFICERS IN HOMELAND WAR

( Editorial: --> 1207 ) DALJ, Aug 1 (Hina) - A plaque was uncovered on Saturday in honour of 20 police officers, 14 soldiers of the National Guard and four members of the Civil Defence who were killed in Dalj (eastern Croatia) on August 1, 1991. The plaque was unveiled by Deputy Interior Minister Zlatko Gledec. Present were also deputy president of the Croatian National Parliament Vladimir Seks, MP Vice Vukojevic, Osijek-Baranja County prefect Srecko Lovrincevic, and Croatian army and police officials. On August 1, 1991, the superior Yugoslav National Army and Serb terrorist attacked the weaker equipped Croatian soldiers and police officers in Dalj which caused the evacuation of civilians from Dalj, Erdut and Aljmas. After rocketing the police station, the aggressor killed the remaining wounded soldiers. "Today we remember the past, fateful times in which, thanks to the boldness of the killed soldiers, the enemy had not conquered our homeland," Gledec said. He stressed the soldiers had shown though their sacrifice "how to love one's home, homeland and people". Seks said the killed defenders of Dalj had knowingly sacrificed their lives, fully aware that due to the environment, help could not be delivered to them, thus their heroism was even greater. "We must bow before these victims that have saved a great number of Croatians' lives," Seks said. The Djakovo-Srijem Bishop, Msgr. Marin Srakic, said prayed for the dead soldiers and the soldiers' families lit candles in front of the plaque. (hina) lml 011728 MET aug 98