SANADER RECEIVES BISHOP KOMARICA, MSGR. STANKOVIC

ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ivo Sanader, on Thursday received Roman Catholic Bishop of Banja Luka, Franjo Komarica, and Msgr. Vladimir Stankovic, who is in charge of the Croatian Catholic faithful abroad, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Bishop Komarica and Msgr. Stankovic informed Sanader of their tour to the Republic of South Africa and meetings with Croatian immigrants as well as of the visit to the Croatian Embassy and talks with Ambassador Tvrtko Mursalo. In Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban there are about 8,000 Croatian immigrants who have expressed wish for strengthening economic, cultural and other ties with their homeland. Sanader thanked the Roman Catholic dignitaries for information, and stressed the efforts of the Croatian Government to link firmer Croats in their homeland and Croats abroad. Sanader emphasized the proclaimed state policies of the Croatian President and Government on the need of the return of an increasing number of Croatian immigrants to their homeland. He informed his guests of concrete steps Croatia was taking to make necessary conditions for the repatriation. (hina) jn mš 122114 MET dec 96