Croats Worship Underground as Fighting Goes On in Republic

Forces of this secessionist republic sought peace on Christmas Day in underground shelters, where they celebrated Mass while fighting went on outside across the republic.

In Zagreb, the first civilian plane allowed to land in the Croatian capital in five months brought tons of aid and Christmas gifts.

Yugoslavia’s Serb-dominated federal army, which controls Croatian airspace, apparently made an exception to allow the plane to land, officials said. The supplies included medicine, hospital equipment, food and toys for Croatia’s war-scarred children.

Many Croatians in Zagreb and other cities in the republic celebrated Christmas Eve by firing weapons. At least three people were killed in such celebrations, and Croatian radio reported that 100 people were wounded in Zagreb alone.

In the eastern Croatian stronghold of Osijek, midnight Mass was held in a large underground shelter. Similar services were held in shelters across the republic.

Most of Croatia’s 4.7 million citizens are Roman Catholics. Most rival Serbs are Orthodox and celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7.

Zagreb residents gathered for traditional Christmas meals Wednesday, but the civil war smothered much of the holiday spirit. “We hope that the next one will be eaten in complete peace,” said Tomislav Krusic, 25.

There were poignant moments that gave people cause to celebrate good fortune, however. Lela Drobnjak, 54, was reunited with her son, Alexander, who returned unexpectedly from the front. “I’m still in shock,” she said. “Two weeks ago, we heard about a very bad defeat of my son’s brigade, and it’s very nice to see him again.”

While Osijek was reported quiet Wednesday, Vinkovci to the south was under heavy fire from mortars, howitzers and rocket launchers. Karlovac, 30 miles southwest of Zagreb, was hit by occasional army artillery fire, local defense officials said.

In the central republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, ethnic tensions lessened somewhat after representatives of the army, and Serb, Croat and Muslim leaders agreed to cooperate in keeping the peace, the republic’s Radio Sarajevo reported late Tuesday.

Many fear that the civil war will spread to Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has a volatile ethnic mix of Serbs, Croats and Muslims.