ISRAEL HAILS CHANGES IN CROATIA -- ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER

JERUSALEM, Oct 30 (Hina) - Today's Croatia is different today, and Israel applauds the changes and understands them well, Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres said in a brief conversation with the Croatian press in Jerusalem on Monday. This is a new Croatia and these are new relations. Both countries must distance themselves from their past and build a new future, Peres said. Croatia has returned to democracy, Europe and the understanding of bad sides of history, and Israel appreciates this, the minister asserted. Peres described Croatian President Stjepan Mesic's speech held in front of the Israeli President's residence as good, but stressed that because of the bad translation which also presented difficulties to Croatian reporters, he could not completely follow Mesic's speech. Asked about his expectations regarding President Mesic's speech and Mesic's expected apology to the Israeli parliament, Peres said he believed the Croatian President did not need to be thought what to do. I expect him to tell the truth. President Mesic known what he is supposed to say and it would be impolite and pretentious of me to suggest anything, Peres concluded. After talks between Mesic and Peres, Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic Kurelec will sign a cooperation agreement in the area of culture, education and science with Israeli representatives. (hina) lml