PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S STATEHOOD DAY MESSAGE

( Editorial: --> 7168 ) ZAGREB, May 28 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman congratulated all Croatian citizens, in the homeland and abroad, on the occasion of Statehood Day, "the greatest holiday of a free, sovereign, democratic and independent Croatian Republic". "As the Head of State I express my gratitude to all those who have in any way contributed to the realisation of the centuries' dream and the aim of generations of Croatians - Croatian freedom in an independent Croatian State," the message said. "This has created the prerequisites for the development of our Homeland into a country based on law, social safety and a market- oriented economy, a country which fosters private and public enterprise, where individual work is respected and where human rights, political liberties and personal responsibility secure all expectations of happiness and welfare for its citizens", it said "Long live our free, democratic, unique and eternal Croatian homeland". (hina) dgr/as 281212 MET may 98