CROATIA'S JEWISH COMMUNITY WELCOMES AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL

ZAGREB, Aug 23 (Hina) - The Jewish community of Zagreb on Friday welcomed an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Croatia and Israel, which had been reached in Budapest on Thursday. "We welcome the agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and Israel as citizens of the Republic of Croatia and particularly as members of the Jewish community, because of our numerous family and friendly connections with Israel," they said in a statement said. The statement noted that "it is known that the president of the Jewish community, Ognjen Kraus, has for long time advocated the establishment of relations between the Republic of Croatia and the State of Israel." "We are looking forward to the forthcoming establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states because they will certainly contribute to the improvement of economic, cultural, scientific and other ties. "We are confident that the diplomatic relations will result in a better exchange of information and removal of possible doubts between the two states and their people," the statement concluded. (hina) vm 231257 MET aug 97