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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
 TO MR STJEPAN MESIC PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL PRESIDENCY
OF THE FEDERATIVE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA*

 

His Excellency, Mr Stjepan Mesic President of the
Federal Presidency of the Federative Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, Belgrade

The news which continues to arrive from Croatia is ever more worrisome and unfortunately gives rise to the fear that a general civil war is imminent.

At this dramatic moment I am especially close to those who suffer and above all to the families of the victims of this painful conflict.

Moreover, I pray that the Lord may inspire those who have the heavy responsibility of ensuring the good functioning of the federal institutions, at the service of all the Republics, urgently to create new conditions for a fair political dialogue among the parties.

I again desire to assure Your Excellency that the Holy See supports all efforts and initiatives which seek to silence the weapons and to bring into the political and diplomatic arena the search for solutions to the grave problems which exist. It is more urgent than ever that the Authorities of the individual Republics respect the international commitments signed by Yugoslavia, in particular Principle VIII of the Final Act of Helsinki, regarding the equality of rights and the self determination of peoples.

With these sentiments I implore the Blessing of the God of Peace upon you and all the peoples of Yugoslavia.

From the Vatican, 26 August 1991

IOANNES PAULUS PP. II


*L'Osservatore Romano. Weekly Edition in English n. 35 p.1.



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