MATESA TALKS TO THE MOLISE CROATS

Rome, 17 September (Hina) - On Tuesday afternoon Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa talked at the Croatian embassy in Rome with a delegation of he Croatian minority from the Italian region of Molise. The talks, attended by the Croatian ambassador Davorin Rudolf, mayors of the three towns with Croatian majority, councilor of the region of Molise and Giovanni Giorgetta, representative of the Molise Croats, evolved around possibilities that will be opened for the Italian minority by an imminent signing of an agreement between Croatia and Italy on the protection of minorities. Prime Minister Matesa inquired about the status of the Molise Croats and possible boosting of Croatia's aid to the local Croat community. Presently, the area does not have a Croat speaking parish priest nor a teacher of the Croatian language. The Croats of Molise are keenly interested in economic co- operation with Croatian companies and a ferry service between Termoli and some Croatian town. Mr. Matesa offered his Government's unrestricted aid both for economic projects and for cultural and educational programmes. jn (Hina) 172050 MET sep 96