NEW AMBASSADORS RECEIVE CREDENTIALS FROM PRESIDENT TUDJMAN

( Editorial: --> 4805 ) ZAGREB, Aug 20 (Hina) - President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday handed over diplomatic credentials to Croatia's new ambassadors to The Holy See, Austria and the United Nations in Geneva. In a ceremony at Zagreb's Presidential Court, Tudjman first presented Marijan Sunjic with his credentials as Croatia's new Ambassador to The Holy See. Tudjman told Sunjic that The Holy See was the only moral authority in the modern world and relations with the Vatican were of the greatest importance for Croatia. The Holy See played an important role in recognising and supporting Croatia right up to today when we are awaiting Pope John Paul II's forthcoming arrival after his first visit to Croatia in 1994, President Tudjman said. The beatification of Croatia's late Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac is not only a church but a political decision, at a time when "certain circles want to again try and discredit today's Croatia as the country which allegedly is a continuation of the (World War II) Independent State of Croatia", the Croatian President said. He added that through this action the Holy See "again showed how highly it regarded Croatia as a peaceful country, a constructive country in this area and a democratic country". Speaking about relations with Austria, Tudjman emphasised that this friendly country "with the greatest understanding followed the establishment of an independent Croatia and supported Croatia in international organisations". He told Croatia's new Ambassador to Austria Ivan Ilic that it was expected there would be a "continued firmness of friendly relations between Croatia and Austria" and given that Austria currently presided over the European Union, also a strengthening in relations with the EU. Handing Spomenka Cek her credentials as Croatia's new Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Tudjman emphasised the importance of promoting Croatia's interests at the UN where even today, he said, there "might be more of those who do not have much understanding for an independent Croatia". He said Croatia's achievements in building democracy, freedom and a market economy was "better than any other country in transition" and this had to be interpreted better in the UN than previously. The new ambassadors thanked the Croatian President for his faith shown in their appointment and promised to promote Croatia's interests in the places they had been appointed to. Also in attendance at the official ceremony were Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, presidential foreign affairs advisor Neven Madey and presidential cabinet head Gordan Radin. (Hina) mbr 201626 MET aug 98