CROATIAN PREMIER HAILS MAROVIC'S APOLOGY

ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - On behalf of the Croatian government, Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Wednesday hailed an apology made by the president of Serbia-Montenegro, Svetozar Marovic, "for all wrongdoings that any citizen of Serbia and Montenegro did to anyone in Croatia". #L# This is a symbolic gesture, but in bilateral relations even such gestures are important, particularly if we bear in mind recent history, the aggression against Croatia, Racan told reporters. The PM expressed hope that apart from such gestures, the two countries would continue to normalise bilateral relations and solve open issues. Asked to comment on Croatian President's apology to the Serbian people, Racan said that Mesic had weighed his words carefully. There is no reason why Croatia should not apologise to anyone who suffered pain due to illegal activities in Croatia, no matter whether they were Croatian or other citizens, Racan said. The PM also said that as far as he was concerned such an apology could be lasting, adding that the stronger the rule of law the less the need for such apologies. (hina) it