BISCEVIC DELIVERS NOTE TO ITALIAN CHARGE D'AFFAIRES

ZAGREB, April 17 (Hina) - Croatian Assistant Foreign Minister Hido Biscevic on Wednesday delivered a note to Italian Charge d'Affaires in Zagreb Benedetto Latteri in connection with legal proceedings instituted against the Rijeka-based "Novi List" newspaper and the Italian Union, an organization of the Italian minority in Croatia. The Rijeka customs administration had taken legal action because the Italian Union had subleased to Novi List a rotary press donated by the Italian government. Biscevic and Latteri reaffirmed an interest that "unnecessary political connotations" should be avoided in considering this case, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said. The two officials agreed that it would be beneficial to take into consideration a high degree of mutual cooperation which the two countries had so far achieved. Latteri expressed satisfaction with the detailed explanation of legal aspects of the case as well as with statements by senior Croatian government officials on the issue. Biscevic gave assurances that in further dealing with the case competent Croatian institutions would take into account Croatian international commitments and the protection of Italian minority rights. (hina) vm jn 171732 MET apr 96