AMERICAN CROATIANS HELP RECONSTRUCTION OF VUKOVAR

( Editorial: --> 1198 ) VUKOVAR, Aug 1 (Hina) - A group of American Croatians on Saturday visited the eastern Croatian city of Vukovar to help in the reconstruction of the Vukovar shelter for children with impaired development problems. The visit was organised by the Ministry of Return and Croatian Homeland Foundation. The American Croatians laid wreaths at the New Vukovar Cemetery and paid homage to victims exhumed from mass graves and other victims of the Serb aggression on Croatia. Accompanying them were Croatian General Consul in Los Angeles Miso Munivrana, Nevenka Jurkovic of the "Friends of Vukovar" society in Chicago, Return and Emigration Assistant Minister Josip Juras with associates, and Homeland War Soldiers Minister Juraj Njavro. The American Croatians' initiative to help with the reconstruction of Vukovar was started at the suggestion of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Munivrana said. "In this way the Croatian diaspora confirmed the unity of Croatians at home and abroad," he added. The group was also received by Vukovar's mayor Stipo Seremet and deputy president of the City Council, Petar Mlinaric. The American Croatians handed Seremet a cheque for US$200,000 as a contribution for the reconstruction and equipping of the children's shelter. (hina) lml 011649 MET aug 98