APOSTOLIC NUNCIO APPEALS FOR REDUCING TENSION IN BH FEDERATION

SARAJEVO, Mar 1 (Hina) - On the occasion of the announced visit of the Pope to Sarajevo, the apostolic nuncio in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) on Saturday issued a statement which pointed out that the visit would serve as a support to progress and dialogue in BH, the Catholic Press Agency said, adding that a recent meeting between apostolic nuncio Archbishop Francesco Monterisi and BH authority representatives focused on the necessity of reducing tension in the country. The Pope's words upon arriving in Sarajevo would be words of peace, a call to a reconciliation and an effective cooperation of the whole Bosnian population, the statement said, adding that the Holy See confirmed its wish for BH to be integral, with equal rights of its three ethnic groups. There should be no fear and intimidation and certain events should not be exclusively pointed out to the damage of only one side, the statement said and concluded by appealing to all to contribute to progress and dialogue in BH, to the respect of human dignity and the strengthening of peace. (hina) ha 011725 MET mar 97