CHICAGO CROATS SUPPORT CROATS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Hina) - Representatives of 28 Croatian American associations, schools and parishes from Chicago and the Chicago area on Monday forwarded a letter of support for the Croat National Congress in Bosnia-Herzegovina, protesting against the "antidemocratic behaviour" of international representatives toward Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to the letter, Croatian Americans raise their voice against "the injustice that is inflicted upon our people in Bosnia- Herzegovina, supporting all the decisions that alone carry the people along the path united around the Hrvatski Narodni Sabor." Chigaco Croats "hope that the international community... grant Croatians the rights that under a democracy and constitution belong to them: that they are considered equal to all others with regard to their rights, in electing their representatives, and in preserving their national and religious identity." The letter further conveys the surprise of Croatian Americans with the conduct of senior representatives of the international community and, the letter says, their frequently false and insulting statements regarding BH Croats. The letter was forwarded to the Office of the High Representative (OHR), Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, Croat National Congress, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Bishop Ratko Peric and Franciscans in Sarajevo and Mostar, and four Bosnian Croat parties - the New Croat Initiative, Croatian Peasants' Party, Croatian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party. (hina) rml