PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SEPAROVIC VISITS MEDJUGORJE

MEDJUGORJE, Jan 14 (Hina) - Independent presidential candidate Zvonimir Separovic started his pre-electoral campaign at the shrine of the Queen of Peace in Medjugorje, southern Bosnia- Herzegovina. Following a service at St. Jacob's Church, Separovic met with friars. In a statement to reporters, he said he supported the preservation of the Croat people and state as well as the protection of Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Croatia must care for Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They must not lose their identity, the right to their language, history and everything that is important to them," said Separovic. Separovic said he came to Herzegovina to pay tribute to the late Croatian defence minister Gojko Susak, however the purpose of the visit was also for him to persevere on the path of the first Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, who "knew the worth of and appreciated every Croat in the world, especially BH Croats who are relying on Croatia." "I came to Medjugorje to pray to the Mother of God and promise that I will do everything in my power to secure the survival of the Croat people in Croatia and for the country not to remain empty. If I come to power, I will banish abortion from hospitals in Croatia," Separovic said, adding, "In terms of demography, we are a dying nation." Separovic accused the Hague Tribunal of "grave injustices" toward Croats and his rival Mate Granic of opposing the issuing of an indictment against Yugoslavia in The Hague. (hina) mm rml