PRESIDENT TUDJMAN VISITS ILOK FOR GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVITIES

( Editorial: --> 1586 ) ILOK, Sept 19 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Saturday visited Croatia's most eastern town Ilok, where the traditional entertainment and cultural event the 31st Ilok Grape Harvest is underway. "The preservation and strengthening of the Croatian unity and consciousness is needed today also for economic development. The way we work, think and improve our economy, culture and life in general will determine what Croatia will be like", Tudjman told Ilok residents who gathered in front of Ilok Castle, where a cultural and entertainment programme was taking place. The President recalled his promises from 1989 about the establishment of a free, independent and sovereign Croatian state, which were fulfilled to the wonder of many internal and external opponents who wanted to preserve the former Yugoslav community at any cost. Those promises were possible to fulfil because of the consciousness of the Croatian people who has always been part of Europe, and because of the unity of Croats living in and outside of Croatia. Tudjman also recalled the peaceful reintegration, which, he said, had been accepted with the aim of preventing new victims and proving that Croats are a peaceful, democratic and humane nation. In that light, Croatia has accepted cooperation with the international community, he said, expressing gratitude for the help given in the reintegration process. However, the Croatian public wants to know what gives many international representatives the right to speak of what Croatia should be like. Such recommendations come from those who once wanted to preserve the former Yugoslavia and prevent the establishment of Croatia's independence and are still trying, as in the case of the Bosnian elections, to destabilise the Croat people in Bosnia and in Croatia, Tudjman noted. He stressed Croatia's wish to be integrated into Central Europe, while preserving its identity, as well as to normalise its relations with all countries, including Yugoslavia. The return of people to their homes is the most important task, he said recalling Croatia's obligation also to help the Bosnian Croat refugees and Croatian emigrants who are returning to their homeland. Ilok Mayor Stipan Kraljevic greeted the President on behalf of Ilok residents. Out of 10,800 pre-war residents of the Ilok area, about 7,400 were forced to live in exile for six years, Kraljevic said. The majority of them have returned, he added. President Tudjman arrived in Ilok this morning. Upon his arrival, he visited the Ilok 1 border crossing, where Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric informed him of the stable security situation in the Danubian region. The President then visited the easternmost Croatian border crossing on a bridge linking Ilok with the Yugoslav town of Backa Palanka. Local border traffic between Ilok and Backa Palanka is regular, including bus lines, Mayor Kraljevic informed Tudjman. This is of special importance for Croats living in Yugoslavia, he added. The President then visited the vineyards in Principovac, where he marked the beginning of this year's harvest by a ceremonial picking of grapes. After Principovac, Tudjman paid a visit to a returnee family in Ilok, after which he visited the old wine cellar of the Vukovar food processor VUPIK, where he tried the famous brand "Traminac". Following his speech in front of Ilok Castle, the President visited the church of St Ivan Kapistran, where he met Djakovo-Srijem Bishop Ciril Kos and the guardian of St Ivan Kapistran monastery, Marko Malovic. (hina) rml 191803 MET sep 98