CROATIAN PRESIDENT SENDS POPE BEST WISHES FOR EASTER

ZAGREB, April 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman sent a letter to Pope John Paul II on Friday expressing his best wishes for Easter, the President's Office said in a statement. "It is our hearfelt wish that your prayers for the salvation of mankind and its peace and wellbeing in this world will be answered by the grace of God. "We also ask you to pray to the Almighty for the peace and happiness of the Croatian people who, faithful to the Church of Christ, have suffered for many centuries to be free now in their independent country," the letter said. (hina) vm jn 052027 MET apr 96