"PEACE TRAIN" ARRIVES IN VUKOVAR

VUKOVAR, June 8 (Hina) - "The Peace Train" carrying President Franjo Tudjman and senior Croatian government and parliament officials arrived in the war-ravaged eastern Croatian town of Vukovar shortly before 13.00 hours on Sunday. The train marked Croatia's symbolic arrival at its easternmost border on the Danube river. About 2,000 passengers got off at Vukovar's devastated railway station, holding white roses in their hands as a symbol peace. President Tudjman and state officials were welcomed by the head of the UN Transitional Administration in the Croatian Danube region, General Jacques Klein, and local government representatives. After the playing of the Croatian national anthem, the ceremony was addressed by General Klein, who said that President Tudjman's speech in Beli Manastir last week was understood by the local population as a call for a peaceful coexistence. Klein stressed the importance of ensuring a multiethnic coexistence in democracy and peace in the region, with postwar reconstruction as one of the most important tasks. Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said that the white roses brought by guests on the train should be regarded as a symbol of peace and renewal, both material and spiritual. Each Croatian county, whose representatives were also present at the ceremony, would make its contribution to the reconstruction of Vukovar by financing the repair of at least one building in the town, Matesa said. The gathering was also addressed by Vukovar mayor Vladimir Stengl, Town Council chairman Marko Ceprnja, president of the Serb Independent Democratic Party (SDSS) and member of the Croatian parliament Vojislav Stanimirovic, and Vukovar County prefect Rudolf Koenig. After that, the ceremony was addressed by President Tudjman. (hina) vm jn 081622 MET jun 97