1500 JOURNALISTS REQUEST ACCREDITATION FOR POPE'S VISIT

( Editorial: --> 3174 ) ZAGREB, Sept 25 (Hina) - Over 1,500 requests have been received for accreditation for domestic and foreign journalists to cover Pope John Paull II's visit to Croatia. The visit will be covered by more than twenty national television and agency teams from Europe, 130 domestic and foreign photographers and numerous reporters. This was stated by a member of the State Committee for the Preparation of the Holy Father's Visit to Croatia, Ivo Sanader, following today's meeting of a working group for the promotion and organisation of information structure. A central press centre will be operational in Zagreb between October 1 and 5. Branch offices will be set up in Marija Bistrica on October 3 and in Split (Hotel Split) between October 2 and 5. The press centre will be equipped and given back up services by Croatian Post and CARNet while Croatia's news agency Hina and the Catholic News Agency (IKA) will be responsible for the timely distribution of relevant news. (Hina) sp/rml 251839 MET sep 98