CROATIA LEADS REGION BY DEVELOPING DEMOCRACY - THEOPHANUS

ZAGREB, Nov 8 (Hina) - Croatia has taken the lead in the region and become a country which is acceptable to the international community because it has achieved major progress in the development of democracy and respect for human rights, Australian parliamentarian Andrew Theophanus said after meeting Croatian President Stipe Mesic in Zagreb on Wednesday. Theophanus is also a vice-president of the Australian-Croatian group in the Australian federal parliament, who in the early 90's played an important role in Australia's recognition of Croatia. Progress in the development of democracy and respect for human rights makes Croatia increasingly acceptable for the international community, said Theophanus, adding President Mesic was demonstrating real leadership regarding those matters. The two officials discussed Croatia's relationship toward the region, especially Bosnia-Herzegovina, the situation in Serbia, the return of the Croatian Serb minority to Croatia, and constitutional changes in Croatia, including the reduction of presidential powers. The limiting of presidential powers is an important signal to the world that Croatia is becoming a democratic country, he said. Theophanus added that he was very optimistic regarding Croatia's future after his talks with Mesic. Speaking about the recent political changes in Belgrade, Theophanus said he believed that relations between Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia would start developing in a positive direction as a result of those changes. (hina) rml