CROATIAN POLICEMEN DECORATED IN PLITVICE

PLITVICE LAKES, March 31 (Hina) - Croatian President's personal envoy, Interior Minister Ivan Jarnjak delivered on Sunday at the Plitvice Lakes national park medals to 1284 members of the Croatian police forces. These decorations by Croatian President Tudjman are sign of their contribution to the defence of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Croatia. Today is the fifth anniversary of the death of the Croatian policeman Josip Jovic - the first killed Croatia's defender. Minister Jarnjak's delegation and the first 'Tiger' brigade laid wreaths on the place of his death. Present at the decoration were members of Croatian Government and Army, of the associations of Croatian defenders and their families. Upon decoration of policemen Minister Jarnjak stated each encounter with wounded Croatian defenders sought gratitude because they are the ones who gave all they could for the Croatian homeland. Concluding, Minister Jarnjak promised to all the attendees the next meeting in Vukovar. (hina) jt 311411 MET mar 96