STATE DELEGATIONS LAY WREATHS ON VICTORY OVER FASCISM DAY

( Editorial: --> 2638 ) ZAGREB, May 9 (Hina) - Delegations of the Croatian President, the Croatian Government and the Croatian National Parliament Saturday lay wreaths on the Altar of the Homeland on the occasion of the day of victory over fascism. "May the glory and gratitude be eternal to all victims fallen for freedom, against evil, totalitarianism, and fascism, communism and the greater Serbia imperialism, in the fight for the realisation of our centuries-old dream - free Croatia", Deputy Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak wrote in the book of impressions. "In fighting fascism the Croatian people has taken part with a higher percentage of fighters than many other European peoples and has suffered the hardest", parliament speaker Vlatko Pavletic wrote in the book after laying a wreath. "We refer to the fact that the Croatian people has in percentage given (the highest number) of fighters against fascism and suffered the biggest human and material losses when we refute all criticism and slander which want to link present-day Croatia with fascism and neo-fascism", Pavletic said after today's ceremony. "This country has been democratic since its establishment and will remain such thanks to us all and our multi-party democracy", he concluded. (hina) ha 091223 MET may 98