PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT TUDJMAN

WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Hina) - The U.S. President Bill Clinton sent a letter to Croatia's President Franjo Tudjman in which he expressed his and his wife Hillary's best wishes for President Tudjman's speedy recuperation. Following is the letter: Dear Mr. President: Thank you again for your letter of November 11. As I told you on the phone, I was very sorry to hear of your illness and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you will receive the best care and advice available at Walter Reed hospital, and am very pleased that we could offer our assistance. We have come a long way in bringing peace to the region and in creating the conditions for a strong, independent and unified Croatia to take its place among the Western family of nations. Your personal leadership over the past two years has been absolutely critical to ending the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and laying the foundations of lasting peace and reconciliation. Rest assured that we will do everything we can to be of continued help to you at this difficult time. Hillary joins me in wishing you all the best. Sincerely, Bill Clinton (hina) mš 170939 MET nov 96