A BRIEF LOOK AT CROATIAN PRESS ON MONDAY

ZAGREB, Jan 2 (Hina) - 'Firm Faith in a Better Future for Croatia' is VJESNIK's lead headline covering an article on President Franjo Tudjman's New Year message. The paper also includes Zagreb Archbishop Cardinal Kuharic's message at a solemn mass given at the Zagreb city cathedral. After eight-day talks Izetbegovic and Karadzic signed an agreement on a four month end to hostilities. Commenting on the event the paper says: "Bosnian Federation vice president Ejup Ganic claims that the 'blue helmets' won't be positioned on all fronts but only in areas referred to in the agreement. "Also it is envisaged that talks begin on withdrawing weapons measuring more than 12.7 millimeters." VJESNIK includes an article on the destruction of the Plitvice National Park, in part of occupied Croatia (UNPA north). "We enter the new year with assured faith in our people, with hope that the war crisis will end, and with hope that the occupied areas of Croatia will be liberated," is the message from Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, which is carried in VECERNJI LIST's front page article. The paper also includes a report from UNPA west on the Zagreb- Lipovac highway. "Despite uneasiness, 1000 travelers used the highway because its a quicker route from Slavonia to Zagreb," the paper reports after interviewing Croatian police and some travelers. General Major Vlado Santic, commander of HVO (Croatian Defence Council) headquarters in Bihac, in an interview with the paper says: "Cooperation with the Bosnian Army is exceptionally good." "At long last, we, along with the Bosnian Army 5th Corps are defending the same area," Santic said. "If either of us lose the battle, then we have all have lost the war. This would be catastrophic for the entire enclave where we, the Moslems, and others share good and evil." (hina) jn sd 021209 MET jan 95