Tudjman, Franjo

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Tudjman, Franjo (1922–99) Croatian president (1990–99). He was imprisoned twice by the Yugoslavian government for nationalist activities. In 1989, Tudjman founded the ultra-nationalist Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, which helped form a coalition government in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1990). Elected president of Croatia, he retained the position during the ensuing civil war and led the country to independence. Tudjman was re-elected in 1997. An authoritarian figure, he died in office.

http://www.croatiaemb.org/tudjman/biography.html

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