MASS SERVED IN BARANJSKO PETROVO SELO FOR FIRST TIME IN 6 YEARS

BARANJSKO PETROVO SELO, Aug 10 (Hina) - The inhabitants of the eastern Croatian village of Baranjsko Petrovo Selo on Sunday celebrated St. Lawrence's Day in their village for the first time in six years. The mass, attended by some 500 persons, including 300 displaced persons who arrived by bus from Osijek and Valpovo, was served by the bishop of Djakovo, Monsignor Marin Srakic. Addressing the gathered, Srakic said "from today on, Baranjsko Petrovo Selo will no longer be what it has been in the last six years. This day brings joy, hope and security that we will return, rebuild what has been demolished, and build our future." The return process had begun and was progressing with ever firmer steps, the Monsignor told the present. According to Marko Posavac, the head of the Petlovci municipality, of which Baranjsko Petrovo Selo is part, the process of estimating war damage in the Baranja region was completed. Reconstruction and a mass return of displaced persons were expected, he said. Before the Serb aggression, Baranjsko Petrovo Selo had 779 inhabitants. Some 600 were displaced. (hina) ha 101503 MET aug 97