Tuđman was visionary statesman, says Plenkovic

The HDZ delegation has come to pay its respects and remember Tuđman's great, visionary statesman's work for Croatia, Plenkovic told reporters.

He said that in crucial times for the European continent Tuđman found a way, with the Croatian people's support, to make Croatia a democratic, free and internationally recognised state.

-He led Croatia in the toughest moments of Miloševic's Greater Serbia aggression, during the Homeland War, he liberated occupied territories and, with his wisdom and the help of the international community, he peacefully reintegrated the Croatian Danube river region, insisting on reconciliation, a key aspect of his legacy which we too nurture and on which we will insist - said Plenkovic.

Everything that happened later was set out in those first ten years of Croatia's independence, he said, adding that he was glad that Croatia kept on that track also regarding European Union and NATO membership, the building of democratic institutions, social justice, economic development and the inclusion of everyone in the benefits of Croatian society and independent Croatia.

Asked why an amended draft declaration on the status of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina was put before a parliamentary committee last week, resulting in complaints by some committee members, Plenkovic said this would be discussed in parliament this week. 'It's up to the members of parliament to produce a text they think is good and appropriate for the messages our parliament wants to sent regarding this topic.'