$ CORPS ZAGREB, 17 Jan (Hina) - The Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and his wife Ankica on Friday gave a special New Year party for the members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Croatia.
DIPLOMATIC
$ CORPS
ZAGREB, 17 Jan (Hina) - The Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and
his wife Ankica on Friday gave a special New Year party for the
members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Croatia. #L#
President Tudjman thanked his guests for their contribution in
the establishment of good relations between their countries and
organisations with Croatia and the strengthening of peace in this
part of Europe.
Speaking about main tasks of the Croatian state policy in
1997, President Tudjman said that the peaceful reintegration of
eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem, including the
elections in the area on 16 March and the completion of the UNTAES
mandate in July, was the most important task.
President Tudjman said he believed that the elections, which
will be held throughout Croatia this year, would strengthen the
democratic system in Croatia and its international position in line
with the constructive role it had had so far in the establishment
of peace.
Croatia would support the regulations of the Dayton and
Washington agreements in 1997 as well, and contribute to the peace
process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tudjman said.
Warning that the whole Croatian public opinion was against
Croatia's integration into formal Balkan processes, President
Tudjman stressed that Croatia would have nothing against concrete
steps aimed at strengthening peace and developing cooperation with
its neighbours, for example in road, railway and air traffic.
The Croatian president wished his guests a happy New Year and
success in the performance of their duties.
He was thanked by the apostolic nuncio Giulio Einaudi, who
wished President Tudjman good health and success in performing his
duties in 1997.
The fact that the number of diplomats in Zagreb had increased
last year was a sign of interest in and acknowledgment of
international activities both of the President and the Government
of Croatia, Einaudi said.
Important events in 1996 were positive for Croatia, Einaudi
said, wishing the country spiritual and economic progress in 1997.
(hina) rm jn
171624 MET jan 97