CRO PRESIDENT RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM CANADIAN AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, July 4 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman received on Friday Canada's new Ambassador to Croatia, Donald Smith, who handed him credentials. Smith announced the Canadian Government would continue with Croatia the constructive dialogue on international political and economic issues, issues related to human rights, and Croatia's role in promoting the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Progress in these issues would enable the future development of relations between the two countries, he stressed. President Tudjman said Croatia was interested in the development of friendly relations with Canada in all fields, because of Canada's significant role in the international community, and because of a large number of Croatian emigrants living in Canada, who contributed to Canada's development, as well as to the establishment of democratic Croatia. Croatia's President said "democratic Croatia will continue to contribute constructively to the solution of the crisis in the region." Croatian officials also present at today's meeting were the President's chief of staff Hrvoje Sarinic, Foreign Minister Mate Granic, and the President's advisor for foreign affairs, Zeljko Matic. (hina) ha mm 041502 MET jul 97