PRESIDENT TUDJMAN SIGNS BOOK OF CONDOLENCE

( Editorial: --> 1868 ) ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman signed a book of condolence on the occasion of the death of Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak. "The death of Defence Minister Gojko Susak is a great and almost irretrievable loss for Croatia and the whole of Croatian people. One of the most prominent people of the current Croatian state and political leadership has died. Thanks to his capability, political maturity, personal courage and skill in the creation of the Croatian Army, as well as its training aimed at successfully leading and victoriously ending the Homeland War, he is being ranked among persons most responsible for the establishment of Croatia's freedom and state independence," Tudjman wrote. "With his zeal and self-sacrifice, honourable life and results achieved in state and political affairs, especially in the creation of Croatian armed forces, Minister Gojko Susak left an indelible trace in Croatian history. Through his work, Minister Susak deserved the highest title in the Croatian armed forces. As a minister in war and peace, he was dauntless and unwavering, bold, but reasonable and deliberate. A true Croatian knight! A true friend and reliable associate, on which a person could always rely, who instilled trust and confidence in people," Tudjman wrote in the book of condolence. (hina) lm 061227 MET may 98