CRO ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES ITALIAN CHARGE D'AFFAIRES

ZAGREB, Aug 28 (Hina) - Croatian Assistant Foreign Minister Hido Biscevic on Wednesday received Italian Charge d'Affaires in Zagreb Benedetto Latteri and informed him about the contents and importance of the Agreement on the Normalization of Relations Between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for stability in the region, which was of interest to both Croatia and Italy, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The talks also focused on the continuation of direct consultations to end negotiations on important bilateral agreements between Croatia and Italy. Biscevic expressed displeasure over a renewed campaign in the Italian media and political circles regarding the problem of the so called "foibas", karst pits in Istria, which, according to their allegations, contain the bodies of Italians killed by Yugoslav partisans at the end of World War Two. Croatia's view was that the campaign was not in the spirit of current relations between the two countries and that it did not create a climate for the strengthening of mutual confidence, Biscevic said, asking Italian official circles to use their influence in that regard, the statement concluded. (hina) ha jn 281740 MET aug 96