CANAK SAYS PRESIDENT MESIC PROMISED "SOFTENING" OF BORDER

BELGRADE, Sept 19 (Hina) - Speaker of Vojvodina's parliament, Nenad Canak, said on Wednesday he was promised by Croatian President Stipe Mesic that he would "work on softening the border" between Croatia and Yugoslavia. Canak told a news conference in Novi Sad that it was "exceptionally important" for the residents of Vojvodina for the border to become softer, and added this would contribute to a more successful economic and every other cooperation between Yugoslavia and Croatia. Canak spoke with President Mesic at the opening of the Zagreb Fair. Canak visited Croatia and the peninsula of Istria last week as guest of the Istrian Democratic Forum. The party's vice president, Emil Soldatic, is currently visiting Vojvodina as guest of the province's parliament. Canak said that while he was in Istria, it was agreed that Istria Days would take place in Vojvodina from November 22 to 25, during which time the Croatian region will present its economy and culture. Soldatic told a joint news conference that Istria "will use its influence in the Organisation of European regions so Vojvodina could become a member". (hina) lml