Christ is born!

Although it was announced that Vladimir Seks would turn up, he did not. It would have been his first public appearance after a heart attack.

The Croatian political elite forwarded best wishes for Christmas to all Serb Orthodox citizens who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar. The event took place at the Croatian Journalists’ Society Friday.

President of the Serb National Council, Milorad Pupovac, expressed satisfaction over the increasing return of Serbs, who had been displaced during the war, to their newly-reconstructed homes.

- They must remain in the areas they are returning to and the feeling of insecurity they feel in doing so must wane. I hope relations between the peoples and political parties will be at an enviable level in 2007, which would motivate an even larger number of people to stay – he said, adding that they were prepared for the continued return of Serbs.

Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said a high level of tolerance and equality had been achieved, which was not an easy task to maintain during the war.

- The war is behind us and it is up to us to build future relations in peace and mutual respect. Our common goal must be entrance into Euro-Atlantic associations – said Sanader, noting that every citizen of this country has a right to land.

Although the appearance of Croatian parliament vice-president, Vladimir Seks, was announced, he did not turn up at the event. Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic forwarded best wishes for Christmas to Orthodox believers, alongside the president of the Social-Democratic Party, Ivica Racan, and the president of the Croatian People`s Party, Vesna Pusic, who recalled her childhood when celebrations took place from St. Nicholas Day until the Orthodox Christmas.