CROATIA AIRLINES' AIRBUS IS READY FOR POPE

( Editorial: --> 5339 ) ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II will depart Zagreb on Sunday for Split, and Split for Rome, aboard a Croatia Airlines A319 Airbus. To make the Holy Father's stay aboard the plane as comfortable as possible and to simultaneously make the best presentation of Croatia's rich cultural and historical heritage, the Croatia Airlines staff and carrier have made special preparations for the flight. Special seats have been built in for the Pope and his company, alongside a different arrangement inside the plane. The cabin staff will wear Croatian uniforms specially designed for the occasion by Boris Buric Gena, a fashion designer from Trogir famous for creating the first Croatian evening suit, modelled on Croatian attire from the Croatian National Revival in the mid-19th century. Gena also for the first time made women's clothes for the women flight attendants. A series of crystal glasses was made on original models from the same mid-19th century period, in cooperation with the Zagreb Arts and Design Museum. Slavonian women from Otoci and Bosnjaci, villages near Vinkovci in eastern Croatia, made headboard coverings, napkins and table cloth as gift to the Holy Father. The white napkins bear a Croatia Airlines sign and the papal coat- of-arms, while the napkins' and headboard's corners have little holes reminiscent of the Croatia Airlines sign which appears on the plane's tail. The Pope and his closest company will use silverware specially designed for the occasion by the Kordun factory from Karlovac, while the white plates were made by the Dutch De Ster factory. The Croatian cuisine will be proudly presented with selections from the continental and Dalmatia cuisines and a selection of high- quality domestic wines. (hina) ha jn 031502 MET oct 98