WREATHS LAID IN ZAGREB BY DEFENCE AND WAR VETERANS MINISTRIES

( Editorial: --> 1881 ) ZAGREB, Aug 5 (Hina) - A number of delegations laid wreaths at the Altar of the Homeland at Medvedgrad near Zagreb and the Croatian capital's Mirogoj and Mirosevac cemeteries on the occasion of Homeland Gratitude Day. Croatian Army chief inspector General Ante Gotovina laid a wreath on the Altar of the Homeland on behalf of the Defence Ministry (MORH) and the Croatian Armed Forces general staff headquarters. The delegation also included General Ljubo Cesic Rojs and Vice- Admiral Davor Domazet. "Throughout the centuries the Croatian person lived and died dreaming for their own state. Our generation was given the honour and historic obligation to realise that dream," General Gotovina wrote in the official book of impressions. "Today, in this place, I remember every battle of the Homeland War, every killed and invalid person and recall the victory of 5 August 1995. May those who arrive and who will tomorrow be Croatia respect and never forget the sacrifices of their nation." Croatian Defenders Minister Juraj Njavro also led a delegation which laid a wreath at Medvedgrad. "On this third anniversary of commemorating the Day of Homeland Gratitude and eighth anniversary of life in a free Croatian homeland, with pride and sorrow we remember all those who gave their lives for the foundations of our future," Njavro wrote in the book of impressions. "All of us, your co-fighters and families, as well as the entire Croatian nation remain forever grateful for the unselfish sacrifices which you gave for the realisation of the thousand-year- old dream of a free, democratic and our only and eternal Croatia. Thank you!" A delegation from the City of Zagreb also laid a wreath at the Altar of the Homeland. Deputy Mayor Miljenko Cvjetko wrote: "No force was able to prevent the centuries old yearning of Croats for freedom, which the magnificent (operation) 'Storm' realised on today's date three years ago. On this day with pride and reverence we remember all those who gave their lives on the homeland's altar. May they receive eternal glory and gratitude." The MORH delegation also laid wreaths in front of the Main Cross at the Mirogoj and Mirosevac cemeteries. A wreath was also laid at the grave of the late defence minister Gojko Susak. Military Ordinariate Juraj Jezerinac celebrated mass at Zagreb Cathedral on the occasion of today's public holiday. A Social Democratic Party delegation also laid a wreath at the Main Cross at Mirogoj cemetery. (Hina) mbr 051439 MET aug 98