CROATIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES OUTGOING IRANIAN AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 6337 ) ZAGREB, Aug 27 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received the outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Croatia, Mohammad Javad Asayesh Zarchi. Tudjman awarded Zarchi with the medal of the Prince Branimir order for his contribution to the development of relations between the two countries. Thanking for the medal, the Ambassador also expressed gratitude to the Croatian state leadership for cooperation he had been provided with during his stay in Croatia. Recalling that Iran had been one of the first countries to recognise Croatia's independence, Zarchi said it had been his wish since the very beginning to develop good relations with Croatia. By maintaining good relations with Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran could have an important role in harmonising the views between Croats and Bosniacs, and, in that sense, a crucial role in the decreasing of tensions between the two sides. We hope that the cooperation between Croats and Bosniacs (Moslems) in Bosnia- Herzegovina, the two pillars of stability and peace in the region, would lead to complete peace and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Zarchi. Speaking about Iran's influence on the relations between Croats and Bosniacs, Tudjman said he agreed with the opinion that Iran had significantly influenced the adjustment of views of Bosnian Moslems to Croat stances. "I recall the (Iranian Foreign) minister's visit to Zagreb when he said that Iran understood not only the interest of Croatia, but also that of Bosniacs, to have good relations with Croatia because of their life goals to remain in Bosnia-Herzegovina territory," Tudjman said. He confirmed the wish of the Croatian side to further develop the successful relations with Iran, particularly in economy. Present at the talks were also Presidential Chief-of-Staff Hrvoje Sarinic and Presidential Advisor for foreign affairs, Neven Madey. (hina) lml 271711 MET aug 98