A BRIEF LOOK AT CROATIAN PRESS ON TUESDAY

ZAGREB, Jan 2 (Hina) - The Zagreb-based daily VJESNIK runs a story in its Tuesday issue on President Tudjman's visit to a maternity hospital in Zagreb. Vjesnik's front page includes articles on a UN decision to declare January 1 a Peace Day, the Pope's message from the New Year's eucharist, and the Croatian president's amnesty of 88 citizens. Vjesnik carries articles on New Year celebrations in Croatia and abroad. "Rule of Law Strikes Back" is the headline of a commentary on conclusions from the Presidential Council session. Vjesnik publishes an interview with Predrag Haramija, chairman of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) commission for rural reconstruction and development. The paper also includes an interview with Spanish ambassador to Croatia Luis Felipe Fernandez de la Pena which focuses on the common interests of Spain and Croatia within Europe and the Mediterranean. Another Zagreb daily VECERNJI LIST runs an article on the economic situation in 1995 and prospects in 1996 under the headline "Facing Economic Growth." "Sarajevo Lesson" is the headline of an article commenting on a statement by a US Army officer that the Croats are racist, in the context of the current situation in Croatia and Bosnia. Vecernji List covers the crossing of US IFOR troops from Croatia into Bosnia over a pontoon bridge across the Sava River. (hina) vm 021043 MET jan 96