MESIC, BOSNIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH HEAD ON BOSNIAN CROATS' POSITION

ZAGREB, Oct 31 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Tuesday evening received the head of the Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, for talks on the status of Croats in the neighbouring state. "Croatia is the first we count on for support, political, moral, and material" necessary to preserve the cultural, religious and national identity of Croats in Bosnia, said Puljic. He added President Mesic had demonstrated good will and promised to do what was within Croatia's possibilities. Asked if the talks had addressed an announced Bosnian Croat referendum on their rights and position, Puljic said it had been briefly touched upon. The cardinal stressed the optimal help Bosnian Croats could get at present was in terms of "returns (to pre-war homes), assistance in education, health, employment, and for Croatia to draw international community attention to issues which are important for the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina." Mesic's adviser on internal affairs Igor Dekanic told reporters the president had voiced full support to the creation of conditions for refugee returns, by rebuilding houses and the infrastructure, offering employment and economic progress. In this respect, Mesic fully supported not only the military component, but the creation of conditions necessary to normalise living and boost economy, said Dekanic. Asked about the president's stance on the referendum, he said the position of the president and his office was that "Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina should exercise their rights, political ones especially, within Bosnian institutions by using all democratic means, which sometimes include a referendum. It is a question of opportunity and goals." (hina) ha