CROATIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES INCOMING SPANISH AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 1391 ) ZAGREB, Sept 18 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday received the incoming Spanish Ambassador to Croatia, Antonio Pedauye y Gonzales who presented his credentials. Pedauye y Gonzales stressed the great role President Tudjman had played in leading his country to independence, and Croatia's resolute contribution towards achieving peace in Bosnia- Herzegovina. "Your strategic decision to lead Croatia to the place it belongs, the alliance of western countries, is well known," Pedauye y Gonzales said. He added he would personally advocate the consolidation of relations between Madrid and Zagreb, as well as Croatia's approach to the NATO and European Union. Tudjman said Croatia and Spain belonged to the same civilisation circle and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Spain understood Croatia's aspirations. After the talks, the Spanish Ambassador laid a wreath at the Homeland Altar on Mount Medvednica, a mountain overlooking Zagreb. (hina) lml 181529 MET sep 98