SARAJEVO ARCHBISHOP SENDS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

SARAJEVO, Dec 23 (Hina) - The Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, on Monday sent a Christmas message to all Catholics and people of goodwill in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Stressing that this Christmas would be the first one to be celebrated in peace after nearly four years of war, Puljic said that this was yet another opportunity to pray to God that peace truly take root. "The war is over and the peace process should be nurtured," he said. "We truly wish that by celebrating Christmas we all realize that we should unite in our hearts, souls and prayers to build peace, repair our homes and achieve harmony in this country." "With all people of goodwill, people of different confessions and cultures, we wish to share the joy of this Christmas celebration in order to achieve what is traditional in Bosnia-Herzegovina - to rejoice with our neighbours during their religious holidays," Puljic said. (hina) vm 231922 MET dec 96