PRESIDENT MESIC OPENS CZECH HARVEST FESTIVITIES IN DARUVAR

DARUVAR, July 22 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic opened in Daruvar on Saturday evening the harvest festivities Dozinke, the central review of the cultural, educational, and economic activities of the Czech in Croatia. The Croatian Czech Alliance has been holding the harvest festivities for 75 years, and this year's event is held under the patronage of President Mesic. Opening Dozinke, he said that in a civil society all citizens must be equal before the law and that there must be no discrimination. There can only be positive discrimination through which Croatia can make sure that its minorities preserve their culture and customs, he asserted. The minorities must be the bridge of cooperation with the mother people, and Croatia must help build that bridge to prove that it is a mature democratic state, Mesic added. The President said the minorities were partly neglected in the last decade, and that he was hopeful there would be no justification in the future for depriving them of financing. While in Daruvar, Mesic held talks with mayor Ivan Raos and the leaders of the Czech alliance. In attendance were also delegations of four Czech ministries. The Croatian President spoke about his impressions from a recent meeting with Czech counterpart Vaclav Havel. (hina) ha