AUTHORITIES IN DRNIS ISSUE STATEMENT ON YESTERDAY'S INCIDENT

DRNIS, Aug 29 (Hina) - The town authorities of Drnis (50 km north of Split) on Friday evening held a meeting focusing on an incident which took place in the town's centre yesterday during a visit of a group of Serb Orthodox believers and their priest Ilija Karajovic. "In this incident there has not been any element to indicate an organized attack on Orthodox believers on the part of any factors in the town of Drnis." The incident occurred after priest Karajovic and a small group of Orthodox believers in his company verbally provoked citizens, the Drnis authorities said, adding the provocation came to a head when the car of the priest's chauffeur tried to run down gathered children. It was important to stress, the authorities said, that this was the second such provocation on Karajovic's part, who on 10 August tried to cause an incident during a visit to Drnis, but was stopped by the town's residents. This was an isolated incident, the authorities said. There were Serbs living in Drnis and no incidents took place. It was also telling, they added, that no Serbs joined in yesterday's outburst. The Drnis authorities said they would continue to do everything for the rule of law to fully function in the area. They called on all Croatian citizens to help them in this, including Karajovic. (hina) ha 292316 MET aug 97