ARCHBISHOP OF SARAJEVO CALLS FOR STRENGTHENING PEACE IN BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 0996 ) SARAJEVO, Dec 26 (Hina) - The Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, called on people to strengthen the fragile peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina and to exert efforts to prevent the growth of visible social injustices in the country. In a speech held during a reception for prominent persons from Bosnia's political, religious and cultural life, Puljic said that the establishment of peace was toilsome and slow. He condemned every provocation endangering peace and security of any person. "We feel a true need for the union of all people of good will in order to uproot hatred and take the path of forgiveness, reconciliation and trust. If we truly want to establish peace, there is no other way," Puljic said, addressing the people present who included the chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, head of the Islam community, Mustafa Ceric and Metropolitan Nikolaj. Puljic also expressed his concern regarding the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. A minority of people were becoming richer at the expense of an increasing number of poor people, which was most obvious in the process of privatisation where property was being purposefully destroyed so certain persons could obtain what had been socially owned cheaper and more easily, he said. Puljic stressed this did not build peace, but created favourable ground for future social unrest. He expressed the readiness of the Catholic Church to help as much as it could to realise next year's project of return of refugees. Puljic expressed hope that Christmas and the upcoming holidays of the Serb Orthodox Church and Islam community would contribute to the unifying of all people of good will to create equality, peace and prosperity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (hina) lm 261349 MET dec 97