PRESIDENT TUDJMAN OPENS 47TH DUBROVNIK SUMMER FESTIVAL

DUBROVNIK, 11 July (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman last night opened the 47th Dubrovnik summer festival. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous public figures. #L# It was pleasure to be able to enjoy another Dubrovnik festival in full security and without fear that it would be interrupted by barbaric attacks of those who had always wanted to rule Dubrovnik by all means, President Tudjman said, opening the festival. Dubrovnik residents and Croats from all over Croatia had managed to defend the city, its beauty and its ancient culture, President Tudjman said, recalling that the aggressor's aim had been not only to defeat the city but also to steal its Croatian soul. Dubrovnik was like Vukovar, President Tudjman said, adding that the city had become a symbol of the struggle of the Croat people for their freedom and independence. President Tudjman also recalled that a U.S. state and business delegation, led by Finance Minster Mickey Kantor, would arrive in Dubrovnik on Thursday. The high delegation continued the mission of the former Finance Minister Ron Brown and his delegation, who were killed in a plane crash on 3 April. Minister Kantor's visit was a sort of tribute to the city, President Tudjman said, adding that the visit would be an incentive for further development of friendly relations between the United States and Croatia. President Tudjman also expressed his conviction that Dubrovnik would know how to preserve the memory of Minister Brown and his associates, for the sake of a long-lasting friendship between the two peoples. After Croatia had won such military victories that it not only changed strategic relations but became a respectable force in the region, it was faced with plans aimed at integrating it back in the Balkans, President Tudjman said, adding that Croatia was a Central- European and Mediterranean country, which with its culture and history had never really belonged to the Balkans, except for 'the unfortunate 70-year-long Yugoslav episode'. Dubrovnik was a city which bore witness to Croatia's affiliation to Western-European circles. It was a city which had been a model to the whole of Europe in various fields, from shipping and trade to diplomacy and art. It had remained the symbol of and witness to the existence of Croatian and European civilisation. It would be able to oppose plans, devised by some international circles and aimed at pushing Croatia into some Balkan associations, 'Euroslavias' or 'unions of South-East Europe', President Tudjman said. Despite the consequences of the war and numerous difficulties caused by the former Communist system, Croatia's economy and military were so strong that the country did not have to accept proposals which were contrary to its interests, he said. "We want to join Euro-Atlantic economic and security systems, but we will no more accept the imposing of the will and interests of others, which are contrary to our being. Croatia is aware of the fact that it is a factor of stability and establishment of a new international order in this part of Europe". With its constructive policy, Croatia enabled the Washington and Dayton agreements and the establishment of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, President Tudjman said in his speech. During the 45 festival days, the audience will be able to see 61 musical, drama and folklore performances on 19 locations. The festival will include more than 1,000 artists from Croatia and 13 countries from Europe and the world. Last night's opening ceremony was attended by Parliament Deputy Chairman Stjepan Radic, Foreign Minister Mate Granic, Vice Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak, Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic, Dubrovnik County Prefect Jure Buric, Dubrovnik Bishop Msgr Zelimir Puljic, the Ston Croatian army Officer Corps commander, Major General Milivoj Petkovic, the Festival's Director Tomo Vlahutin, Bosnian Premier Hasan Muratovic and some 30 diplomats accredited in Croatia. (hina) rm 111152 MET jul 96