PRESIDENTS TUDJMAN, MENEM EXCHANGE DECORATIONS

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 1 (Hina) - Argentinian President Carlos Menem last night gave a coctail party for President Tudjman and his wife, the Croatian government delegation and the most prominent Argentinian public figures. The two presidents exchanged the highest orders conferrable on foreign statesmen, the High Order of San Martin and King Tomislav Order. Carlos Menem expressed his satisfaction with President Tudjman's visit, stressing that Croatia had found a great friend in Argentina. He recalled General San Martin's merits in the Argentinian independence war in the early 19th century. Thanking President Menem for the San Martin Order, President Tudjman said he received it as a token of respect for the whole Croatian nation, including the Croatian community in Argentina. President Tudjman said Croatia owed particular gratitude to Argentina for giving shelter to 10,000 Croatian political emigrants after World War II and for being one of the first countries to recognise Croatia. President Tudjman is devoting this second day of his stay in Argentina to meetings with representatives of the 250,000-strong Croatian community. He is also going to visit the Croatian embassy in Buenos Aires. Economy Minister Nadan Vidosevic is to meet today with his Argentinian counterpart. The rest of the Croatian business delegation is to attend a working meeting of the Argentinian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce. (hina) as vm 011120 MET dec 94