Tešanj, August 23, 1999 (IKA/KTA) — Archbishop Cardinal Vinko Puljić of Sarajevo visited the faithful in the parish in Makljenovac on August 22. During the celebration of the Mass, Cardinal Puljić conferred the sacrament of Confirmation. Afterwards, the cardinal met with Croats in Tešanj, who told him about the problems they have been encountering, especially ethnic discrimination, constant threats including death threats, and harassment, particularly at work. As an example of the violation of human rights, the cardinal was informed about the situation at the Izudin Mulabećirović Medical Center in Tešanj. The director of the medical center did not give Dr. Doma Petrović free days for Christmas and Easter but only for the Muslim festival of Bairam. Following this, Dr. Petrović was demoted from the position of the head of the Physiatry Service, and given a position at the medical center that has not existed. After an appeal, she was told that the population of the municipality of Tešanj was 99% Muslim and as a Croat, Dr. Petrović could not be the head of a department. Cardinal Puljić promised to undertake measures to protect the disenfranchised people in this region.