CHILE'S AND ARGENTINA'S GREAT UNDERSTANDING WITH CROATIA

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 2 (Hina) - In a conversation with Croatian journalists President Dr. Franjo Tudjman yesterday spoke of his impressions from his visit to Chile and Argentina. The two South American countries showed a great understanding for Croatia's position and supported its policies in connection with its territorial integrity and with its role in creating a new international order in southeastern Europe, President Tudjman said. Commenting on his meetings with Croatian Diaspora President Tudjman emphasized that he had been especially impressed during the visit to Chilean Autofagasta Desert where 30,000 Croats live. One could wonder why they had to leave their homeland, the paradise on the earth compared with that desert, and seek their livelihoods in the world, he said. He added they had to flee Croatia since they did not have their independent State at the time. And now when the Republic of Croatia exists as a sovereign independent state, the main conditions have been created for returning of Croatian Diaspora to their homeland. Their repatriation should be one of the chief tasks of the Croatian Government, President Tudjman said. During the three-day official visit to Argentina, President Tudjman yesterday visited Croatia's Embassy in Buenos Aires to meet eminent representatives of the Croatian immigrants' association in this South American country with over 250,000 members. Croatian Ambassador Matko Medo welcomed President Tudjman in the Embassy's building, constructed by means of Argentinean Croats. Ambassador Medo described the Croatian President's visit as a historic event for Croats and their descendants in South America waiting for this moment many years. Ivo Rojnica was presented with the Prince Trpimir Order because of his engagement in promoting of Croatia in Argentina, and activities in maintaining Croatian cultural, political and civilization heritage after the WW II. Magdalena Hunjet Hunmayer and Marija Zubranic were decorated with "Danica Hrvatska" Order because of their humanitarian activities during Croatia's war of independence, and their contribution to promoting Croatia in Argentina. (hina) mar mms 021145 MET dec 94