MOSTAR, Aug 10 (Hina) - The international community's High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, was quoted by the Bosnian issue of the Croatian daily "Vecernji List" as saying that Bosnia had made greater progress for
six years that Northern Ireland in the last 30 years.
MOSTAR, Aug 10 (Hina) - The international community's High
Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, was quoted by
the Bosnian issue of the Croatian daily "Vecernji List" as saying
that Bosnia had made greater progress for six years that Northern
Ireland in the last 30 years. #L#
A former leader of British Liberals, Lord Ashdown, was military
engaged in Northern Ireland during the fierce clashes in the area in
1970s.
He said he had been among first soldiers to march through Belfast,
where he lived 30 years ago, when Catholic houses were burnt down.
He added nobody had returned there so far, while 250,000 refugees
had come back to Bosnia.
Although western diplomats do not consider that the progress in
Bosnia is sufficiently fast, it is nevertheless extraordinary what
Bosnia has managed to accomplish since the war, the Briton said.
He positively assesses the country's fiscal and monetary policy,
given that Bosnia has the lowest rate of inflation and the stable
currency in the region.
Ashdown said the West would in coming two or three years decide on
whether it would continue playing an active role in Bosnia or would
be presented to such extent necessary for the prevention of
spreading instability towards neighbours - Croatia and
Yugoslavia.
(hina) ms