CROATIAN PARLIAMENTARY MEMBERS ON THEIR VISIT TO UNITED STATES

OSIJEK, Feb 14 (Hina) - Parliamentary deputies of the Croatian Social and Liberal Party (HSLS) party, Zlatko Kramaric and Vilim Herman, today held a press conference in Osijek to discuss their recent several-day visit to the United States. The HSLS members attended a traditional national prayer breakfast in Washington. During their stay in the US they also met many eminent politicians, cultural workers and representatives of the US media as well as American Croats. The HSLS delegates met several Congressmen and Senators. They talked with George Spector, an aide to the director of the very influential Jewish organization "Bnai Brit". The HSLS delegation also attended a protocol reception held by US President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Kramaric and Herman visited the Croatian Embassy in Washington, the Croatian Consulate in Toronto, Canada, and Croatian emigration organizations in New York, Chicago, as well as in Toronto and Hamilton, Canada. They were received by Bosnia-Herzegovina's Ambassador to Washington, Sven Alkalaj. Alkalaj and the HSLS delegates considered the possibility of them visiting Sarajevo and Mostar. Talks with Paul McCarthy, the executive director of the foundation for the development of democracy's department for central and eastern Europe executive director, revolved around financing non-government organizations in Croatia. As regards the American public's interest in the Z-4 plan, and their concern over Croatia's decision to cancel UNPROFOR's current mandate, a greater promotion and presence of Croatia in the American media and more intense diplomatic initiatives were necessary, Kramaric said. (hina) jn sd mms 141509 MET feb 95