CROATIAN FRATERNAL UNION SENDS STATEHOOD DAY GREETINGS

PITTSBURGH, May 29 (Hina) - The president of the US-based Croatian Fraternal Union, Bernard Luketich, on Wednesday sent his best wishes for Statehood Day to Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and the Croatian nation, the President's office said in a statement. "On the occasion of the Croatian Statehood Day, we officials and members of the Croatian Fraternal Union in the United States, are sending the people in the homeland our cordial and warm greetings and our best wishes for success in building a free and democratic state and nation," the letter read. "The Croatian Fraternal Union has supported and will continue to support all the efforts of the Croatian Government and the Croatian people. You can rest assured, Mr. President, that we will continue to work hard to support Croatia's democratic stance and the Croats' wish to govern their state themselves and decide their own course. You, Mr. President, have achieved much and we congratulate you on your excellent work for all Croats who share your vision of an even better and brighter future," the letter read. (hina) as 292233 MET may 96