WASHINGTON TIMES ANNOUNCES AWARD TO CROATIAN HEAD OF STATE

WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Hina) - The Washington Times daily notes on Friday that Croatian President Stjepan Mesic will be presented with an annual award of the American Bar Association (ABA) for his contribution to economic and social changes in Croatia. #L# Croatia's progress in the building of a democratic society did not go unnoticed, the daily quotes ABA executive director Homer Moyer as saying. Mesic has made a significant contribution to the building of Croatia on democratic principles, which has not always been an easy task, reads a statement explaining why Mesic has been chosen as the recipient of the award, which he will receive on Saturday during a trip to the United States. The Washington Times further says that Mesic succeeded the first Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman, who the daily says was widely criticised for violations of human rights and obstructions of democratic changes. (hina) ha