A statue of the former Croatian President Franjo Tudjman was unveiled, Friday, at a square called Franjo Tudjman’s square in Tomislavgrad, Western Bosnia. The statue is the work of Croatian sculptor Ilija Skocibusic.

“By raising this monument, the Croat people express their gratitude to the first Croatian President for all the good he has done for his people,” said the statement made by the Tomislavgrad authorities.

The inscription on the base of the statue reads “This is where Croatia was born and this is where it is defended from,” which were Tudjman’s words, said during his visit to Tomislavgrad in 1993.

The monument was unveiled by Miroslav Tudjman, on behalf of the Tudjman family and a nun named Matija Pacar on behalf of the families of the deceased veterans.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Ivic Pasalic, Director of the “Dr Franjo Nevistic” Foundation, Croatian Prime Minister’s envoy Ivana Perkusic, Croatian President’s envoy Ante Deur, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) entity Mladen Boskovic and Ministers in the Government of the Canton 10, Stipan Sarac and Petar Galic.

The unveiling ceremony was organized by the Association of Volunteers and Veterans of the Homeland War of the Tomislavgrad Municipality, the Association of the Croat War Veterans of the Homeland War from Tomislavgrad, the “Dr Franjo Nevistic” Foundation from Zagreb and the Municipality of Tomislavgrad.