SERB ORTHODOX MEETING AT SARVAS CHECK-POINT

SARVAS, 7 May (Hina) - An UNTAES check-point at the village of Sarvas saw today a meeting between representatives of the Serb Orthodox church from free and occupied areas of Croatia, first such meeting in five years. The meeting took place within the framework of regular reunions of families split by the conflict. Zdravko Tanackovic, president of the Osijek Serb Orthodox church municipality, said he and Budimirka Kricka, member of the Osijek Serb Orthodox community, met at the check-point with the Osijek parish priest Srecko Leskovac, from Tenja, and his wife Danica. Present at the meeting were UNTAES officials. After the meeting, Zdravko Tanackovic said arch priest Srecko Leskovac, who left Osijek in 1991, expressed a desire to return to his Serb Orthodox flock in the town. An agreement was made whereupon the arch priest would soon come to Osijek on a several day long visit. (Hina) mr 072209 MET may 96