TUDJMAN STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman told reporters aboard the Peace Train after its departure from Zagreb for Vukovar on Sunday morning that he was surprised by such a large number of people who had gathered at Zagreb's central railway station to see the train off. "I have confidence in the residents of Zagreb as well as in the whole Croatian nation," the President said. Tudjman noted that senior state officials, members of the government and parliament, prefects of all counties and representatives of the diaspora were aboard the train. "Both Croats from Croatia and abroad are going to Vukovar to see it and to demonstrate their willingness to pursue the state policy of peace and reconciliation, to heal the wounds and to create preconditions for a peaceful coexistence so that we could devote ourselves to the economic and cultural development of all areas of Croatia," Tudjman said. (hina) vm 081418 MET jun 97