SERB PEOPLE'S COUNCIL HOLDS RECEPTION BEFORE ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS

( Editorial: --> 2459 ) ZAGREB, Jan 5 (Hina) - A reception on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas, January 7, was held at the Serb Cultural Society "Prosvjeta" in Zagreb Monday. Welcoming the attending political figures and members of the diplomatic corps in Croatia, the president of the Serb People's Council, Milorad Pupovac, said Croatian Serbs expected 1998 would be the year of reconstruction in Croatia, when in the spirit of tolerance, a society open for all differences, national, religious and political, would be built. All citizens of Croatia have to take part in creating a democratic climate and democratic institutions, said Pupovac. He called on the Croatian public to "see (in Croatian Serbs) partners in building and strengthening democracy in Croatia." The vice president of the Croatian parliament, Drazen Budisa, joined Pupovac in wishing for 1998 to be the year of tolerance and dialogue. A completely new era is beginning, Budisa said, when Croats and Serbs will need the strength to overcome the dark sides in their relations. Budisa looked upon the future of Croat-Serb relations with optimism, since even in their past, he said, bright moments prevailed. "It is not true that the history of Croat-Serb relations has been only the history of conflicts, it has been the history of respect, and even assistance too", Budisa said. (hina) ha jn 051607 MET jan 98