BARONESS THATCHER - HONORARY CITIZEN OF ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 0946 ) ZAGREB, Sept 16 (Hina) - Zagreb City Assembly President Zlatko Canjuga and Mayor Marina Matulovic-Dropulic on Wednesday presented former British Premier, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, with a charter naming her an honorary citizen of Zagreb and a true and influential friend of the Republic of Croatia. At its 15th session on May 9, the Zagreb City Assembly adopted a decision to honour Baroness Thatcher because of her proven friendship and all round assistance during Croatia's struggle for independence and named her the first woman honorary citizen from outside Croatia. "Your Excellency, as one of the most influential political figures in the world, living in an atmosphere which was not fully supportive to changes in the former Yugoslavia, you recognised the aggressor, said Zagreb's mayor. Matulovic-Dropulic highlighted the role that the former British premier played towards Croatia's international recognition. Welcoming Baroness Thatcher, City Assembly President Canjuga amongst other things pointed out that for the Croatian nation Mrs. Thatcher represented "a symbol of determination and strong personal qualities which illustrates the magnanimity which brings forth man's value in defence of one's beliefs". "It is a great honour to receive the freedom of the city of Zagreb on this my first visit to an independent, democratic Croatia", said Baroness Thatcher at the beginning of her speech. Speaking about her impressions during her stay in Zagreb, the former British premier pointed to Zagreb's history and its beauty as the capital city. "To you and me a sense of history is a source of reassurance. It reminds us of who and what we are. It makes us feel at home", said Baroness Thatcher, adding that the struggle for an independent Croatia signified its return to the Western and Central European culture. Baroness Thatcher spoke about being moved by the story of the history of the Ban Jelacic monument and it being put back in its place at the main city square after independence was proclaimed. "Totalitarians can succeed for a time in redrawing maps, re-naming squares and even re-writing history. But it is a lot harder to destroy a nation. And evidently it is impossible to destroy Croatia", concluded Margaret Thatcher. (Hina) sp/rml 162133 MET sep 98