PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S RECEPTION OF DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO CROATIA

CROATIA ZAGREB. Jan 15 (Hina) - President of the Republic of Croatia held today the traditional New Year's reception for the representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of Croatia and other senior officials of international organizations. On behalf of the diplomatic corps Apostolic Delegate, Msgr. Giulio Einaudi, expressed gratitude to the President Tudjman for this annual reception adding that such a meeting strengthens official relations as well as friendship between Croatia and other countries and international organizations. He stressed that the number of the diplomatic representatives in Croatia was increasing pointing out that "there are 37 embassies in Croatia so far, 26 of which are based in Zagreb." Commenting on the current situation in Croatia and the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nuncio Einaudi said that such developments were still obstacles in wishes of the Croatian people to live in peace. He added that "We have been witnesses with fear and pain of the events which cause suffering to the people of B-H. Peace has not been reached yet, and sometimes it seems to be unreachable, but as the Holy Father warns it would be disaster to resign oneself to war. We are convinced that peace can be reached only through dialogues and international activities." Expressed gratitude to President Tudjman and the Croatian Government for their political persistency aimed at finding a just solution to the conflict Nuncio Einaudi underlined the care of the Republic of Croatia for the displaced persons and refugees from B- H, 500,000 of whom are sheltered in this country. Addressing to his guests at the New Year's reception President Tudjman expressed hopes that peace might be achieved in this year. "Croatia has entered 1994 with deepened and extended relationships with numerous countries, whose representatives you are as well, and this has contributed to its development and dignity," said Croatian President. President Tudjman evaluated the achieved results in economy and unexpected success of the Croatian Government which managed to reduce inflation. He added that "this opens possibilities for better cooperation with the developed countries." President Tudjman also expressed his belief that the world would offer larger aid to Croatia this year. Commenting on the two burning issues, the temporarily occupied territories of the Republic of Croatia, i.e. UNPAs, and the war in B-H, President Tudjman underscored that " Croatia will go on with the policy of seeking peaceful solutions to such problems, which are not only Croatia's own problems but the problems of Europe and the world. We would like to normalize the relationships with the Serb ethnic community in Croatia in a peaceful way and to achieve the mutual recognition of Croatia and Serbia, since we think it may contribute to a new, more stable order in these areas. Croatia will do its best to contribute to cessation of the war in B-H and to maintain the Croatian people there, since the spillover of the B-H war can cause the conflict of civilizations," said the Croatian President adding the international community should prevent all those who would like the war continues. "Peace for Croatia means also the implementation of the constitutional and legal establishment on the entire internationally recognized Croatian state as well as direction of all forces toward material and cultural development. Establishing peace in B-H would not only prevent the current disastrous situation but it would also create preconditions for a new order in these areas," stressed Croatian President. Expressing hopes that consistent and determined activities of all factors could contribute to peace President of the Republic of Croatia wished happy New Year to the representatives of the diplomatic corps and senior officials of international organizations based in the Croatian Capital. 151754 MET jan 94