WORLD CONGRESS OF ISTRIANS CONTINUES WORK IN SECTIONS

ZAGREB, Apr 14 (Hina) - The first World Congress of Istrians, opened yesterday at Pula, today continued work in four sections - for politics, culture, economy and youth. The Congress is attended by 700 participants from Croatia and abroad. The political section today discussed the topic "Istria - a European Region." Over a 100 participants asked to take the floor. Member of Parliament Ivan Herak advised that a special political approach, not special status, was what Istria needed. MP Marino Golub said that regional autonomy was no solution because it would lead to the "fragmentation of the Croatian state." Other participants mainly spoke of Istria's economic and cultural development. President Tudjman's advisor, Nevio Sevic, remarked on the Congress' "mistrust" toward the Croatian state and Constitution, which nevertheless "granted everybody their rights." (hina) mm as 141738 MET apr 95