ORTHODOX FAITHFUL IN CROATIA CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

( Editorial: --> 2833 ) PACETIN, Jan 7 (Hina) - The Orthodox faithful in Croatia on Wednesday marked Christmas according to the Julian Calendar with solemn Christmas masses and family gatherings. A Christmas mass celebrated by parson Predrag Azap in Pacetin, eastern Croatia was attended by the UN Transitional Administrator for eastern Croatia, William Walker, the president of the National Committee for the restoration of trust, Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, her deputies Ivica Vrkic and Vojislav Stanimirovic, and Croatian Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric. After the service, Walker, Skare-Ozbolt, Vrkic, Stanimirovic and Moric visited the Azap residence. According to Skare-Ozbolt, by attending mass in an Orthodox church, the Croatian state was establishing ecumenical dialogue in a true spirit of religious and other tolerance. Wishing the best to all Orthodox faithful, Skare-Ozbolt said 1998 would be better for all residents of the Danube river region of eastern Croatia. UN Transitional Administrator Walker was satisfied with today's visit to Pacetin. He had also attended Mass on the Catholic Christmas, he added. It was a pleasure to hear the speeches Stanimirovic and other members of the National Committee made at the Azap residence, said Walker, adding he would try to convey it in his talks in Zagreb and with international representatives. There are no more agreements or negotiations, we are all on the same side, the UN Transitional Administrator said. Thanking all who attended the Orthodox Christmas celebration, Stanimirovic expressed his best wishes to all celebrating Christmas according to the Julian Calendar with the traditional "Christ Is Born". The three members of the National Committee for the restoration of trust and Assistant Interior Minister Moric also visited the family of Miodrag Nedeljkovic in Bobota, wishing them a merry Christmas and presenting them with gifts. "There is room here for all people of good will (who wish to) build a happy future," said Nedeljkovic's son Vladimir, who studies theology in Belgrade. According to Moric, there have been no incidents in eastern Croatia on the Julian Calendar's Christmas Eve. "It is further proof that life in the area is getting back to normal," he said. (hina) ha jn 071737 MET jan 98