MESIC SAYS BMW, DAIMLER-BENZ MIGHT INVEST IN CROATIA

BERLIN, Oct 27 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic said in Berlin on Friday German car companies BMW and Daimler-Benz might invest in Croatia. He told a news conference at the Croatian Embassy the two companies had been mentioned during Thursday's talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on German industry investments in Croatian economy. Asked if this meant the two companies would invest in production in Croatia, Mesic said: "That couldn't be investing only in maintenance services, but in production as well." Mesic is on a two-day visit to Germany. On Thursday, he held talks with President Johannes Rau in Berlin and Schroeder in Hannover. Earlier today he met Bundestag speaker Wolfgang Thiers. He told reporters he briefed Thiers on debates in progress in Croatia in connection with constitutional amendments and the situation in the neighbourhood. Speaking about post-election Yugoslavia, he voiced hope it, too, would take the route of other countries in the region. "A big step has been taken in Serbia. Milosevic has been deposed, and now the country needs to become democratic," said Mesic. "They have to be encouraged, but we mustn't be euphoric," he added. Later in the day, the Croatian president is to meet Berlin Mayor Eberhard Diepgen and hold a working lunch with representatives of a council of Germany's chambers of industry and trade. (hina) ha