JURAS MEETS CROATIAN EXPATRIATES IN SEVERAL U.S. CITIES

ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Return and Immigration Minister Josip Juras, currently on a visit to the United States, has attended a gathering of the Croatian community in Sacramento, California, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. The gathering, which brought together about 3,000 Croats and American friends, was also attended by Secretary General of the state of California Matthew Fong. In his welcoming remarks, Fong stressed the great contribution of Croats to the building of the United States and their irreplaceable role in economic and other issues of interest to the state of California. Juras stressed that the unity of Croats in Croatia and abroad played an important role in creating independent and sovereign Croatia. He thanked all Croats for their assistance, particularly in defending and liberating all parts of their native country. During talks in Los Angeles, San Pedro and San Jose, Croat expatriates showed great interest in the possibility of return and investment in Croatia. (hina) vm mm 091318 MET jun 97