URUGUAY'S AMBASSADOR HANDS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT TUDJMAN

( Editorial: --> 5102 ) ZAGREB, Feb 27 (Hina)- Uruguay's Ambassador to Croatia, Homero Diego Martinez Lawlor, handed his credentials to Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday. "In Uruguay there is a feeling of great respect toward Croatia and its people," Ambassador Lawlor said in his inaugural speech. He recalled with admiration the history of the Croatian people, filled with suffering, heroism and "acts of sovereignty which you can be proud of today." "Today, Croatia is a democratic country which desires good relations with all the countries in the world," President Tudjman said. "Croatia aspires toward integration in Euro-Atlantic organisations because it is ready to share the fate of today's world," he said. "We want a Europe that will be the homeland of nations and states," he said, noting that the Croatian people had significantly contributed to European history and culture. Noting that a great number of Croatian emigrants had found a new home in Latin American countries, President Tudjman called for the expansion of Croatian-Uruguayan relations and asked the ambassador to convey his best wishes to his Government and people. (hina) mm as/mrb 271908 MET feb 98