CROATIAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO ISRAELI PRESIDENT

( Editorial: --> 7715 ) ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - Croatian Ambassador to Israel Svjetlan Berkovic handed his credentials to Israeli President Ezer Weizman on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Croatian flag was displayed at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, the usual starting point for audiences, and the Croatian national anthem was played and a review of an honour guard of the Israeli army was held before the credential presentation ceremony. Relaying to President Weizman and the people of Israel greetings from President Franjo Tudjman and the Croatian people, Berkovic said he was particularly honoured to present his credentials as the first Croatian ambassador to Israel. Welcoming the Croatian ambassador, Weizman wished him success in his work to the benefit of the development of overall relations between the State of Israel and the Republic of Croatia. The Israeli president showed interest in the situation in Croatia as well as in some issues of bilateral relations. After the presentation of credentials, Berkovic visited Yad Vashem Memorial Centre where he laid wreaths to the victims of the Holocaust, the statement said. (hina) vm jn 112026 MET dec 97