PRESIDENT TUDJMAN VISITS KRASIC AND JASTREBARSKO

( Editorial: --> 3323 ) KRASIC/JASTREBARSKO, Sept 26 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Saturday visited Krasic and Jastrebarsko, about 30km south-east of Zagreb. Krasic is the birthplace of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who is to be beatified during Pope John Paul II's visit to Croatia between October 2-4. Accompanied by Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, President Tudjman laid a wrath at the monument erected in memory of Cardinal Stepinac and visited the Church of the Holy Trinity and the parish office where Cardinal Stepinac worked and lived. "Cardinal Stepinac was a holy man and one of the greatest and wisest Croats during World War II. The sentence "I would be nothing without my people who clearly expressed their wish for freedom and their own state" will remain an authentic testimony of one of the greatest dignitaries of the church among Croats. His beatification is a contribution to the recognition and promotion of the Croatian church, people and state", Tudjman wrote in the book of impressions. The President and his associates then visited Jastrebarsko they held a meeting with local officials and Zagreb county representatives. (hina) rml 261435 MET sep 98