Minister of defence of the Republic of Croatia , Gojko Susak (born 03.16.1945) died on Sunday night, May 3, 1998, in Zagreb, and was laid to rest on Thursday, May 7, at 14.30 CET on the Zagreb Cemetery Mirogoj. That day has been proclaimed a National Day of Mourning in Croatia.
He performed his responsible and honorable duty during the most difficult time in the creation of Croatian state. In the memory of many Croatians and Americans, Minister Susak will be remembered as a true Croatian patriot, a crucial figure in Croatia's fight for independence.

The Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak was posthumously decorated by President Tudjman with the High Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir and the Danica, and with the Order of Nikola Subic Zrinski and the Order of Stjepan Radic. Tudjman also promoted Susak posthumously in rank for services rendered in the organisation of the Croatian Armed Forces and his contribution to the Patriotic War.

Today at noon, an extra-ordinary session of the Croatian Government was held during which members of the Government were informed by its President, Dr. Zlatko Matesa, that the Minister of Defense, Mr. Gojko Susak, passed away.

"Gojko Susak was a man of triumph in all his battles, a man who realised his life long dream - the freedom and independence of Croatia - and a man who lost his first battle last night, a battle with an illness. We mourn his death together with his family and friends. He remains in our thoughts and memories," stated Matesa.

In a telegram, Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman expressed his condolences to the Susak family:

"Please accept in my own name, on behalf of the government's and the Croatian people, sincere and deep condolences, for the death of your son, husband and father, my closest associate and personal friend, a man who gave his limitless personal contribution to the realisation of Croatian freedom.

"His years of living in the emigration was dedicated to the centuries long Croatian dream - creating the independent, sovereign, and democratic Croatia . Returning to the Homeland, Gojko took on the most responsible duties of the Croatian Democratic Union and the Croatian Government, during the most difficult time in the creation of the Croatian state and in the Homeland War.

"Gojko's contribution to the creation of the Croatian dream was done without spare - he invested all his capabilities, his patriotism, and before all else, his human virtue. He will forever remain an inspiration for all future Croatian generations," expressed Dr Franjo Tudjman .

"Today, May 3, 1998, at 9:30 pm, in the Dubrava Clinical Hospital, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Gojko Susak, passed away. Minister Susak was treated for three years for a malignant lung disease. Until a few days ago, the disease was contained. The disease violently spread and consequently his vital organs failed," read a report of the Medical Commission, signed by the President of the Commission, Dr. Andrija Hebrang.

Gojko Susak was born on May 16, 1945, in Siroki Brijeg. He studied maths and physics in Rijeka, followed by Management, Information Technology and Communications at the University of Ottawa, Canada, where he lived from 1969. In Canada he was a manager and owner of several businesses. He was the President of the Croatian-Canadian Cultural Federation, the President of the Croatian Studies Foundation and the Director of the Croatian School in Ottawa. Followed by the first free and multi-party elections in Croatia, Gojko Susak became a member of the government of Croatia. From 1990 to 1991 he was the Minister of Emigration and the Deputy Minister of Defense. In 1991 he was appointed as the Minister of Defense and held that position till his death. Gojko Susak was one of the closest associates to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tudjman. At the recently held 4th Convention of the Croatian Democratic Union, he was elected the Vice-president of the party.

The President of the Government, Dr. Matesa, announced that the funeral for Mr. Susak will be held on Thursday May 7, 1998, at noon at the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb. Thursday has been declared a day of mourning for the Republic of Croatia.