BEAR: TUDJMAN AGREES FOR FOREIGN MEDICAL EXPERT TO EXAMINE SAKIC

ZAGREB, March 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman has agreed to a suggestion by the international Jewish organisation B'nai B'rith for an international independent medical expert to assess the condition of Dinko Sakic, a former president of B'nai B'rith, Tommy Baer, told Hina following his meeting with Tudjman on Friday. Bear said he spoke with President Tudjman for about 45 minutes and Tudjman agreed with the proposal that Sakic be examined by a foreign independent medical expert, who would assess his mental and physical state. Baer added that he was very satisfied with the meeting. During the talks, Bear told Tudjman that Sakic's trial offered an opportunity for Croatia to distance itself from the Ustasha regime and show with the trial that it was ready for integration into western institutions. Bear said he told Tudjman that Croatia had to tell the story about a strong anti-Fascist movement which had existed in Croatia, because it was a story Croatia had every reason to be proud of. However, it also had to tell the story about Ustashi, he said. Baer went on to say that he also discussed three recent anti-Semitic statements made in Croatia, adding that Tudjman said that he would never allow anti-Semitic claims in Croatia. The former B'nai B'rith president today also met representatives of the State Attorney's Office to discuss the trial. The State Attorney's Office agreed to the proposal on a foreign independent medical expert, Baer concluded. (hina) mm rml