CARDINAL KUHARIC SENDS A LETTER TO BANJA LUKA BISHOP KOMARICA

ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina/Ika) - The Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, today sent a reply to the Bishop of Banja Luka (northwestern Bosnia), Msgr. Franjo Komarica, to tell him about the treatment of Serbian civilians in western Slavonia. In the letter Cardinal Kuharic said "Croatian Government and President Franjo Tudjman himself guarantee to all citizens of Serb nationality all rights and the protection in the re-taken areas, as well as the safe return to those who had left the area during military actions but would like to come back to their homes." "Besides, prisoners of war are being humanely treated in line with international conventions. The law on the granting a pardon is also used in case a war prisoner has committed no crime." The Catholic Church urges that the human rights of citizens of Serb nationalities be respected, according to the letter. Cardinal Kuharic added that the Catholic Church representatives have not learned of any case that violation has been committed over residents of Serb nationality. (hina) mm mms 082045 MET may 95