WEEK MARKING EXODUS OF ISTRIAN CROATS BEGINS IN ZAGREB

( Vidi vijest: 5010 ) ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - A manifestation called "Remembering the Exodus of Croats from Istria During Italian Administration and Occupation 1918 - 1943" opened in Zagreb on Wednesday. In attendance were officials of the Croatian government and parliament, and representatives of various organizations. The week-long event was opened by parliament speaker Vlatko Pavletic. This day marked the exodus of Croats from Istria, Pavletic said, adding today was also a day of forgiving. The aim of the manifestation was to shed light on crimes committed during the little known period of Italian rule over the Istrian peninsula from 1918 to 1943, Pavletic said. According to the president of the Istria County Assembly, Damir Kajin, the exodus of Croats, the italianization of Croatian names and the introduction of the Italian as the official language was aimed at changing the ethnic character of a region. (hina) ha mm 221915 MET oct 97