CROATIAN SUPREME COURT PRESIDENT RECEIVES POLISH AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, Oct 1 (Hina) - President of the Croatian Supreme Court, Milan Vukovic, on Wednesday received the outgoing Polish Ambassador to Croatia, Wieslaw Walkiewicz. Vukovic and Walkiewicz agreed about the need for even better cooperation between Poland and Croatia in all fields, especially justice. Vukovic informed his guest about the rich history and current issues of the Croatian Supreme Court which had been established in 1861. He especially recalled the political processes and political instrumentalisation of the judicature during the communist period. At that time, Vukovic said, there was a unity of power, in which judges had been subjected to re-election and dismissal if they were not faithful to the ruling Party. "Today judges are independent, permanently nominated to their judiciary duties at which they remain until they are prepared for retirement," Vukovic said. Walkiewicz expressed satisfaction that he had personally witnessed the historic and tragic times of the breakdown of the former state and the creation of independent Croatia. I am satisfied that I have personally established diplomatic relations between Poland and Croatia and Slovenia, and that trade between Croatia and Poland has tripled during my mandate, the Polish Ambassador said. (hina) lm 011306 MET oct 97