MSGR SIMCIC DENIES EXISTENCE OF SECRET DOCUMENTS

( Editorial: --> 1596 ) ROME, June 16 (Hina) - Secret documents do not exist on alleged special relations between the Vatican and the Croatian Papal Institute of St Jerome in Rome, former Under Secretary of the Congregation for Clergy, Msgr Milan Simcic, said in Rome on Tuesday. All documents are public and anybody can consult them, said Simcic following latest requests for the Vatican to open its archives on ties with St Jerome's on the accommodation of Croatian refugees after the Second World War, which allegedly included Ustashas. More than 20,000 refugees from Croatia passed through Rome, claims Simcic who in the post-war years was the Institute's chancellor. There was huge chaos, especially from May 1945 to the end of 1946, said Simcic, adding that there were a number of camps for Croatian refugees in Italy, from Fermo in the north to Caserta and Latina in the south. "I visited all the camps, taking aid to our people. The aid was in food, clothing and footwear. Many people were without documents which they later obtained via the Red Cross. Refugees were also assisted by especially formed committees. Papal charity was distributed to the people's representative committees and they took care of the refugees. Those committees were not linked with the institutes. Hence the Committee for Assistance to Croatian Refugees should be separated from the St Jerome Institute," said Simcic. The Vatican has twice already officially denied allegations on links with organised escapes of Ustashas or existence of secret documents on refugees among which were Nazis or Ustashas. (hina) jn bag/ha 161622 MET jun 98