CENTRAL CELEBRATION OF CROATIAN NAVY DAY HELD IN SIBENIK

SIBENIK, 18 Sept (Hina) - The central celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Croatian Navy was held in the central Adriatic town of Sibenik Wednesday. Festivities began yesterday after Croatian Battle Fleet ships entered Sibenik port. Today's celebration was attended by President Tudjman's representative, the Croatian army Chief-Of-Staff Zvonimir Cervenko, Defence Minister representative Josip Juras, the Croatian Navy commander, vice admiral Vid Stipetic, retired Staff Admiral Sveto Letica, the Croatian Air Force commander Ilija Maric, members of the Croatian Institute of Naval Engineering and Sibenik Overhaul Shipyard, families and widows of killed Croatian defenders and municipal and county leaders. Speaking about the establishment of the Croatian Navy during the 1991 battle for Sibenik and the present organization of the Croatian Navy and its future tasks, General Cervenko stressed that the Croatian Navy had to reflect Croatia's long naval tradition. General Cervenko presented Croatian Navy officers and non- commissioned officers with decorations they had been awarded by President Tudjman. Civilians were able to visit all ships in Sibenik port this afternoon. The Croatian President and head of Croatian Armed Forces, Franjo Tudjman, on Wednesday sent a message to the Croatian Navy commander, Vice Admiral Stipetic, and all Croatian Navy members, with congratulations for the Croatian Navy Day. 'Built on the brightest traditions of Croatian seafarers and knights, the Croatian Navy gave its full contribution to the establishment and defence of the sovereign and independent Croatian state in the most critical times of the Homeland war, and the patriotism, skill and combat readiness of its members will certainly be a guarantor of sovereignty and peace on the Croatian Adriatic and rivers', Tudjman said in his message. (hina) rm jn 181850 MET sep 96