ZAGREB ARCHBISHOP'S ENVOYS TALK WITH PROTESTERS IN CHURCH

ZAGREB, Sept 20 (Hina) - Zagreb Archbishop and the president of the Croatian Bishops' Conference on Thursday sent his representatives - Auxiliary Zagreb Bishop Josip Mrzljak and Vicar- General Vladimir Stankovic - to hold talks with laid-off police officers who had protested in front of the government's building in St. Mark's Square and who last week found shelter in St. Mark's Church after a ban on their protest. #L# The representatives Mrzljak and Stankovic were accompanied by the parish priest of St. Mark Church, Franjo Prstec. During the long conversation with the protesters, the Church dignitaries were informed by the protesters about their problems and their stands on the current situation, read a statement released by Zagreb Archbishop's office on Friday. Showing understanding for their grave situation, the dignitaries called on the protesters to resume dialogue with authorities so that they could together find the way out of this deadlock. Representatives of the Church are willing to mediate in the dialogue, the statement said. The Archbishop's envoys said the Archdiocese neither was intending nor did it wish to remove the protesters from the church. They, however, urged and welcomed bids aimed at seeking a sensible and fair solution. The dignitaries mentioned possibilities of the state authorities' attempts to ensure employment for those ex-policemen. Commenting on the conditions in which the protesters are currently staying, the dignitaries said any further stay under such circumstances would be detrimental to their health. The protesters complained about biased statements given by representatives of authorities on their case. (hina) ms