Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
President Thabo Mbeki has learned with shock about the unexpected passing of President Franco Tudjman of Croatia early this morning. President Mbeki has extended his deepest sympathy to the family of President Tudjman and the people of Croatia in this hour of sorrow.
President Tudjman was a great friend of South Africa and many students of South Africa studied in Croatia, as well as the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Apartheid years.
South Africa and Croatia established diplomatic relations during 1992.
"President Tudjman will be remembered for the role he played in the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement during 1995 that brought an end to the Bosnian conflict" President Mbeki added. The South African President articulated the hope that bilateral relations would continue to prosper to the benefit of both countries.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
11 DECEMBER 1999