A BRIEF LOOK AT CROATIAN PRESS ON WEDNESDAY

ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - The front page of VJESNIK leads with a report on the opening of a memorial exhibition of documents and photographs belonging to Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. The exhibition was opened and blessed by Cardinal Franjo Kuharic. In relation to France's proposed meeting between Presidents Tudjman, Izetbegovic and Milosevic, VJESNIK reports on how the meeting was called to 'to escape from the cul-de-sac after the Bosnian Serbs' rejection of the peace plan'. A comment piece by Maja Freundlich, headlined 'Weighing Up Threats and Fear' makes the profound observation that when UNPROFOR leaves Croatia 'war cannot start anew because it has never stopped'. 'A war ends when one side capitulates or when peace is signed...There is no sense in talking about an on-going war starting again', the article hypothesises. The other Zagreb daily carries a comment piece by Visnja Staresina headlined 'The Devil in Detail'. The article is about perspectives for the mutual recognition of Croatia and Yugoslavia and the continuation of the peace process. The paper carries an interview with British Parliamentarian Sir Patrick Cormack. 'Serb policies are still very militant and aggressive. Milosevic has moved back a touch because he understands the after effects of sanctions against Serbia, and I would like to think that he has realised the horrible results of Serbia's atrocities,' Sir Patrick said. 'The Federation is the key to a peaceful resolution', Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic, said in an interview with the paper. Among other things, Silajdzic said: 'Until now the Washington Agreements have resulted in end of clashes, but from then until now little has been done. Therefore we now have arbitration to stop all these mutual accusations and establish the Federation once and for all." VECERNJI LIST also covers the opening of a memorial exhibition of Cardinal Stepinac, who is about to be transformed into a saint by the Vatican. "Here, close to our Zagreb Cathedral, near the Cardinal's honourable death bed, we give each and every one of you the unique opportunity to come face-to-face with his venerable ghost," Cardinal Kuharic said at the opening. "In a mystical half-light of the Archbishop's Palace, small objects that followed Cardinal Stepinac in his life now mysteriously emanate an unearthly glow," the reporter mused. (hina) sd as 081222 MET feb 95