CROATIAN PM WISHES BEST FOR HOLIDAYS TO CITIZENS, ZAGREB ARCHBISHOP, POPE

ZAGREB, Dec 23 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader on Tuesday sent notes to all Croatian citizens at home and abroad, to the primate of the Catholic Church in Croatia, Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic, and to Pope John Paul II, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on his and the government's behalf.#L# In the note to citizens, Sanader said among other things it was a great honour for him to be able to give, on the day of his appointment to the post of PM, a message of hope that "with joint efforts and commitments we can turn Croatia into a country of prosperity in which every man will have human dignity and in which tolerance and coexistence will be the foundations of relations among people". He also highlighted the importance of the family. "Croatia faces many challenges. We can conquer them together... May these holidays give us strength so that we can win aggressiveness with calmness, conquer fear and irrationality with knowledge, and build the future with love." In the note to Cardinal Bozanic, Sanader said his recent elevation to the cardinal's rank had been an acknowledgement of Bozanic, an expression of gratitude and honour to the Croatian people, and that it represented a special joy of this Christmas. Sanader said the new government he led, also appointed just ahead of Christmas, was turning a new page in Croatian history. Speaking of the challenges awaiting Croatia, Sanader mentioned the road to the European Union, raising the level of well-being, prosperity and dignity of every citizen, and establishing a society of peace and tolerance. In the note to the Holy Father, Croatia's new PM recalled among other things that Croatia gained independence during his pontificate and that the Holy See's recognition of independent Croatia had been crucial for the country's freedom. He said Croatians were proud of having been faithful to the Roman Catholic Church for 13 centuries. (Hina) ha