REPORTERS GIVE PETITION FOR MASLE'S RELEASE TO YUGO AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, May 14 (Hina) - A delegation of the Croatian Journalists' Society (HND), on Friday handed to Yugoslavia's Ambassador to Croatia, Veljko Knezevic, a petition demanding the release of a Croatian reporter, Antun Masle, who has been at prison in Montenegro since April 20 when Yugoslav military authorities arrested this correspondent of the Globus weekly. The petition also includes a demand for the prolongation of the accreditation of a Croatian journalist, Vesna Fabris-Perunicic, in Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), after she had to leave Belgrade recently. The petition was signed by editors-in-chief in the Croatian press, and the electronic media, workers of Radio Dubrovnik, citizens in Dubrovnik and Split and several women's organisations. The HND delegation informed Knezevic that citizens in Zagreb and a few other towns would start signing the petition for Masle's release as of today. Knezevic promised to the HND delegates that he would forward the petition to Belgrade. According to a member of the delegation, during the talks behind the closed doors, Knezevic told them that he had done all what his official post allowed him and even more. A Croatian consul would visit Masle in coming days, the Ambassador told the HND representatives. Zagreb citizens can sign the petition in Preradovicev Square from 11 to 14 hours today and tomorrow. (hina) ms