BISHOP KOMARICA INFORMS MINISTER GRANIC OF SITUATION IN BANJA LUKA

( Editorial: --> 4552 ) ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Wednesday received the Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, who was accompanied by a Republika Srpska Parliament member, Franjo Majdandzic, and president of the Association of Displaced Croats and Refugees from Northwestern Bosnia, Vjekoslav Tripalo. Komarica informed Granic about the current situation in the Banja Luka region, especially about the difficult economic situation. Granic spoke about Croatia's relations with Republika Srpska and Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing that a joint commission of representatives of the Croatian government and Republika Srpska would meet in the next ten days to discuss the issue of refugees and displaced persons. Granic stressed that the Croatian government was still waiting for a reply from the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency regarding the opening of a Croatian General Consulate in Banja Luka. The talks also focused on the functioning of border crossings, economic cooperation, communication connections and the implementation of the Citizenship Law. (hina) lm mm 251855 MET feb 98