struts bean tag with javascript.

Hi ,

 I am using html:button onclick="javascript:editCitizen('<bean:write name="issueVO" property="citizen.id"/>')" value="Edit Citizen"

 to pass the value of id variable in citizen object (which is a variable in issueVO).

 The compiler complains that it is expecting an "equal symbol" !!!

 Where does it require that ???

  And When i use

             <a href="javascript:editCitizen('<bean:write name="issueVO" property="citizen.id"/>')">Edit Citizen</a>

It works....

explanation please !!

javascript function is as follows :

function editCitizen(id)
      {
      
            var theForm = document.citizenForm;
            theForm.id.value = id;
            theForm.submit();
      
      }