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ZAGREB, Aug 20 (Hina) - President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday handed
over diplomatic credentials to Croatia's new ambassadors to The
Holy See, Austria and the United Nations in Geneva.
In a ceremony at Zagreb's Presidential Court, Tudjman first
presented Marijan Sunjic with his credentials as Croatia's new
Ambassador to The Holy See.
Tudjman told Sunjic that The Holy See was the only moral authority
in the modern world and relations with the Vatican were of the
greatest importance for Croatia.
The Holy See played an important role in recognising and supporting
Croatia right up to today when we are awaiting Pope John Paul II's
forthcoming arrival after his first visit to Croatia in 1994,
President Tudjman said.
The beatification of Croatia's late Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac is
not only a church but a political decision, at a time when "certain
circles want to again try and discredit today's Croatia as the
country which allegedly is a continuation of the (World War II)
Independent State of Croatia", the Croatian President said.
He added that through this action the Holy See "again showed how
highly it regarded Croatia as a peaceful country, a constructive
country in this area and a democratic country".
Speaking about relations with Austria, Tudjman emphasised that
this friendly country "with the greatest understanding followed
the establishment of an independent Croatia and supported Croatia
in international organisations".
He told Croatia's new Ambassador to Austria Ivan Ilic that it was
expected there would be a "continued firmness of friendly relations
between Croatia and Austria" and given that Austria currently
presided over the European Union, also a strengthening in relations
with the EU.
Handing Spomenka Cek her credentials as Croatia's new Ambassador to
the United Nations in Geneva, Tudjman emphasised the importance of
promoting Croatia's interests at the UN where even today, he said,
there "might be more of those who do not have much understanding for
an independent Croatia".
He said Croatia's achievements in building democracy, freedom and a
market economy was "better than any other country in transition"
and this had to be interpreted better in the UN than previously.
The new ambassadors thanked the Croatian President for his faith
shown in their appointment and promised to promote Croatia's
interests in the places they had been appointed to.
Also in attendance at the official ceremony were Croatian Foreign
Minister Mate Granic, presidential foreign affairs advisor Neven
Madey and presidential cabinet head Gordan Radin.
(Hina) mbr
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