POPE JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN SLOVENIA FOR THREE-DAY VISIT

LJUBLJANA, May 17 (Hina) - The Holy Father Pope John Paul II arrived in Ljubljana on Friday for a three-day visit to Slovenia. Church bells pealed across the country as the Pope's Al'Italia plane touched down at Brnik Airport at 16.45 hours. The Pontiff and his delegation were welcomed by Slovene church and state authorities headed by Ljubljana Archbishop Alojzije Sustar and President Milan Kucan. Foreign diplomats accredited to Slovenia and other distinguished guests were also at the airport. "For four years our country was living on the very brink of war horrors in Croatia and Bosnia. Your Holiness was one of the rarely courageous people who, right from the start in 1991, clearly drew the line between the aggressor and the victim," Kucan said in his welcoming remarks. Addressing the cheering crowd of Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians, Croats, Serbs, Bosnians and members of other nations, the Pope said he was very pleased to visit Slovenia for the first time. "I fervently wish that the establishment of a just and lasting peace in South-East Europe will allow all people to live free and respected in their own land," the Pontiff said. (hina) vm jn 172010 MET may 96