PRESIDENT MESIC HAS COFFEE WITH CITIZENS

ZAGREB, July 22 (Hina) - About 60 citizens, including members of the Association of Handicapped Children and Parents from Ivanic-Grad and the Malesnica Pensioners' Association on Saturday had coffee with Croatian President Stipe Mesic at his office in Zagreb. The citizens informed the President of the problems they most frequently encounter. President Mesic told reporters afterwards he was unable to meet citizens on a daily basis due to his many obligations, but that he tried to do so as often as possible, to see people, let people see him, and listen to their problems. The reasons people come to see me are different, some are curious, but there are also those with serious problems, said President Mesic. It is difficult to understand how people manage with low incomes and big obligations, but we are hopeful things will get better, he added. Between 400 and 500 citizens have drunk coffee with the President in his office thus far. About 1,600 have passed through the office on regular Sunday visits, and the interest continues to be enormous. The President's Office opened for visits by the general public in mid-March. (hina) ha