DEPUTY IMMIGRATION MINISTER VISITS AMERICAN CROATIANS

ZAGREB, June 3 (Hina) - A Croatian Deputy Immigration Minister, Josip Juras, being on an official visit to Croatian communities in the United States, called on Croatians in New York and Cleveland to return to their homeland, and pointed to the necessity of investment in and the return to Croatian islands. Juras and Croatians of New York attended a celebration of Statehood Day at Lincoln Centre, organised by the Croatian general consulate, the Croatian Ministry of Return and Migrant Affairs said in a statement. During the last weekend, the deputy minister met New York's Croatians and visited the Croatian Catholic mission at Manhattan. On Sunday, he travelled to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was present at a celebration of Statehood Day at Croatian national centre 'Cardinal Stepinac'. The celebration was attended by Privatisation Minister Milan Kovac and the Privatisation Fund's Vice President, Stipe Hrkac. After tours to New York and Cleveland, Juras is to visit Croatian communities in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, San Pedro, San Jose and Sacramento. (hina) jn mš 031258 MET jun 97