COVIC: MOSTAR CAN GUARANTEE SAFETY TO ALL STATESMEN

MOSTAR, Dec 6 (Hina) - The chairman of Bosnia-Herzegovina's three- man presidency, Dragan Covic, has said that presidents of all UN member-states will be invited to a ceremony of opening of the rebuilt Old Bridge, a landmark of the southern city of Mostar, due to be held next summer. #L# In this context, Covic, who is also the head of the organising committee in charge of the preparations of the ceremony, said on Saturday that Mostar was a safe city and could guarantee safety and security to all statesmen, including th U.S. President George Bush. After the committee's meeting in Mostar, Covic said they had discussed preparations for invitations of all heads of state of UN members, and head of all international organisations which helped reconstruct the Old Bridge (Stari Most), that was torn down during the Croat-Muslim conflict in 1993. Covic voiced hope that a great number of statesmen would accept the committee's invitation and attend the ceremony, scheduled for 23 July 2004. By that time, the city has to improve its infrastructure and the funds for construction works and the ceremony will be secured not only by local authorities but also by the Croat-Muslim entity and state authorities, Covic added. (hina) ms