POPE TALKS WITH CROATIAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION

( Editorial: --> 4477 ) VATICAN, April 3 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II on Friday received Croatian National Parliament Speaker Vlatko Pavletic and they discussed the situation in Croatia and the region. Pavletic spoke about conditions in Croatia, especially in Croatian Danube River region. He said Croatia had been pressured to as soon as possible implement the obligations it had accepted regarding the return of refugees, which Croatia was prepared to complete but sought more flexible deadlines. Pavletic spoke about the social situation in Croatia and said the Government was trying to boost employment, especially where young people were concerned, as a way of resolving social problems. The Pontiff then received other members of the Croatian parliamentary delegation. Following talks with John Paul II the Croatian parliamentarians met the Holy See's Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. Pavletic said Sodano understood the situation in Croatia and the whole region very well and was a friend of Croatia. During the discussions it was emphasised that State-Church relations were especially good and that agreements Croatia signed with the Holy See had contributed to the further development of relations. In talks on the situation in the Danube region, Sodano promised support for Croatia's demand that deadlines for fulfilling obligations linked to the return of refugees be made realistic. (Hina) jn mb-jfk 031823 MET apr 98