CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN TAKES SOLEMN OATH

ZAGREB, Aug 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, who was elected Croatian President for the second term in office at 15 June presidential elections, was sworn in before Croatian Constitutional Court on Tuesday on national Homeland Thanksgiving Day (August 5). The ceremony of taking the solemn oath was held at Square of St. Marko in the historical centre of the Croatian capital after President Franjo Tudjman and his wife Ankica arrived. On the ceremonial stage the Constitutional Court President, Jadranko Crnic, welcomed and greeted Tudjman. The ceremony commenced at 10 am by the singing of the Croatian anthem "Lijepa nasa". After reading a decision on the validity of the 1997 June presidential elections and of the victory of the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) candidate Franjo Tudjman, Crnic requested Tudjman to take the solemn oath, which the President of the Republic of Croatia, swears before the Constitutional Court committing himself to loyalty to the Constitution. "I swear upon my honour that I will perform the duty of the President of the Republic of Croatia conscientiously and responsibly for the benefit of the Croatian people and all Croatian citizens. As the head of the Croatian State I will abide by the Constitution and law, take care of the respect for the constitutional and legal order of the Republic of Croatia, watch over the regular and fair functioning of all government bodies, preserve the independence, existence and unity of the Republic of Croatia. So help me God," is the solemn oath which Franjo Tudjman read, with his right arm lifted while holding his left hand on the Croatian Constitution. Then, President Tudjman signed a document on the taken oath, and the Constitutional Court President Jadranko Crnic put the presidential sash on him. "This sash is a sign of the honour of the President. This sash is state insignia, insignia of the President of the Republic of Croatia. I proclaim that as of 12 August 1997 you will assume, in your second term in office, all obligations of the President of the Republic of Croatia. Let me be first, as the Constitutional Court President, to congratulate you," Crnic said at the ceremony. After that, President Tudjman's wife Ankica and Constitutional Court members congratulated him as well, and the cannon battery at Gric fired a salvo of 25 shots. Delivering a speech President Tudjman addressed the gathered at the ceremony. Afterward present guests also congratulated President Tudjman. Present at the ceremony were President Tudjman's family members, Croatian Parliament President Vlatko Pavletic and parliamentary deputies, Premier Matesa and other government members, other Croatian senior officials, political parties' representatives, religious dignitaries, diplomatic and consular corps members, Croatian army members, cultural workers, scientists and many other public figures and citizens. (hina) jn mš 051214 MET aug 97