PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL

( Editorial: --> 6940 ) ZAGREB, April 15 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman received the General Director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Eytan Bentsur on Wednesday, the President's Office said in a statement. The two high officials stressed mutual interest in a more intensive development of overall Croatian-Israeli relations, for which all conditions exist. President Tudjman recalled that the anti-fascist movement in Croatia was proportionately the most widespread and had the largest number of members in Europe. He expressed hope that the development of relations between the two states and peoples would help in dispelling some stereotypes which existed due to anti-Croatian propaganda. In regards to the case of Dinko Sakic, Tudjman said he personally ordered that Sakic's extradition from Argentina be sought and that his trial be held in Croatia. Present at today's meeting at President Tudjman's side were presidential chief-of-staff Hrvoje Sarinic, presidential advisor on foreign policy Neven Madey and Croatian Ambassador to Israel Svjetlan Berkovic. The General Director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry was also received by presidential chief-of-staff Sarinic. (hina) rm/mrb 151602 MET apr 98