PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR ( Editorial: --> 0877 )

( Editorial: --> 0877 ) ZAGREB, 14 Nov (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday received credentials from the Pakistani Ambassador Syed Zafar Mehdi. Pakistan highly appreciates the struggle of the Croatian people for an independent and sovereign state and for the reintegration of its territory, said the Pakistani ambassador. He recalled that Pakistan has been participating in peace efforts aimed at solving the crisis in the former Yugoslavia since its beginning. I am convinced that our units have earned respect of Croatian people regardless of their national background, he said. President Tudjman thanked the people of Pakistan and their government for their contribution in the peace forces in the Croatian Danube river region, adding he highly appreciated Pakistan's decision to open an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia wants to develop relations with all countries, especially with the Islamic part of the world in which Pakistan has an important role, President Tudjman said. (hina) rm 141508 MET nov 97