BOSNIA'S HDZ PROTESTS AGAINST "ROBBERY" OF MOSTAR BANK

MOSTAR, April 6 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia- Herzegovina issued a statement on Friday, strongly condemning "the armed robbery of the privately-owned Hercegovacka Bank d.d. Mostar and its offices, committed today with unprecedented repressive measures by masked officials of the federal government with the assistance of SFOR and international police forces (IPTF)." The party claims there was no reason to carry out the armed raid of the bank's offices and adds the bank management has always been cooperative toward inspection teams. The party calls on recently appointed Bosnian Croat officials to stop such attacks and defend the rule of law. They call on the Croat BH Presidency member Jozo Krizanovic, BH Council of Ministers Chairman Bozidar Matic, Deputy Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic, House of Peoples Speaker Ilija Simic, BH Federation President Ivo Komsic, Federation Defence and Finance Ministers Mijo Anic and Nikola Grabovac, BH Human Rights Minister Kresimir Zubak and other officials to face their people and explain to them why they were taking repressive measures against corporate subjects and their employees. "The Croat people is convinced that it was you who ordered these operations. You are therefore urged to face your people and explain the reasons for your policy which allegedly protects the interests of Croats," says the statement issued on the occasion of today's incidents in Mostar which occurred after the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina set up a provisional management board of the Hercegovacka Bank. (hina) rml