CROATIAN PRESIDENT SENDS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE

( Editorial: --> 0587 ) ZAGREB, Dec 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Tuesday sent a Christmas and New Year message to citizens of Croatia and foreign nationals staying in Croatia. "This year these festive days have special significance because the last part of the occupied territory - the Croatian Danube region - with the symbol of Croatian resistance and the unity of the Croatian people - Vukovar - is returning in a peaceful way to the homeland." "With the attainment of sovereignty over the entire state territory, the centuries-old dream of the Croatian people has come true," the message said. "Now we face the task of building a prosperous homeland, a country of progress and well-being, peace and order, law, truth and human freedoms, mutual solidarity and social justice." Extending his best wishes to Croats around the world, the President said that "their homeland eagerly awaits them". Tudjman sent his greetings to all members of the UN Transitional Administration in the Danube region, who "in cooperation with our authorities contributed to the return of Croatia to its borders in a peaceful way". The Croatian president also wished all the best to "all people of good will around the world". (hina) vm mm 231806 MET dec 97