BEECROFT HAILS MESIC-MAROVIC MEETING

VIENNA, Sept 11 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia, Robert M. Beecroft, in Vienna on Thursday hailed yesterday's meeting of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and his counterpart from Serbia and Montenegro Svetozar Marovic and the apologies they had exchanged. #L# The meeting contributes to further reconciliation between the two countries, Beecroft told a news conference in Vienna, adding that their message should set an example for Bosnia. Beecroft today submitted a report on Bosnia to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. Speaking about the political situation in Bosnia, Beecroft said only minor progress was achieved in fulfilling international commitments. There are still many open wounds in Bosnia that need to heal but there is also too much resistance to overcoming apathy and scepticism, he said, stressing the importance of preventing corruption which he described as destructive. Bosnia is yet to draw up a strategy of its path to the EU, the OSCE official said, adding that local politicians need to be more engaged in creating and fulfilling conditions necessary to realise this goal. (hina) it