ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS HAD TO FORCE THEIR WAY INTO ZNJAN

( Editorial: --> 5518 ) SPLIT, Oct 4 (Hina) - As the police would not allow accredited journalists to enter Znjan at the western entrance - allocated specifically for journalists - some one hundred local and foreign journalists and photographers arrived late to the celebration today at Znjan. Angered that they could not have proper access to conduct their task of covering the ceremonies, the journalists removed the barricades put up and entered the area of today's celebration. A spokesman for the Split press centre, Kresimir Kopcic (an employee of the Croatian foreign affaris ministry, led the journalists who had gathered at about 10.15 am and took them from the press centre towards Znjan so that they could be ready to cover the Pope's arrival. When they arrived at Znjan however, without any explanation the police prohibited the group of journalists from entering at the gate intended for journalists despite clearly displayed identification cards. Amongst the group of one hundred journalists were a number of reporters from Reuters and other renown foreign and local television and media houses. Even after trying to explain their position the journalists were not allowed entry. When the journalists saw that the Pope had arrived at Znjan and the Popemobile was making its way to the altar site, the journalists knocked down the barricades and entered Znjan. A few scuffles erupted as the journalists made their way to the place of the ceremony. (Hina) sp 041211 MET oct 98