SARAJEVO, June 6 (Hina) - The international community's High Representative in Bosnia maintains a special relations agreement between the Bosnian Serb entity and Yugoslavia does not threaten the vital interests of any of Bosnia's
three constituent peoples. A statement issued by Wolfgang Petritsch's Office in Sarajevo on Wednesday says the Bosnian Constitution grants either of the two entities the right to establish special parallel relations with neighbouring countries to the degree in which it does not violate Bosnia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Bosniak and Croat members on the Bosnian Serb entity's parliamentary commission for constitutional issues last week vetoed the ratification of the special relations agreement between Belgrade and Banja Luka, the Bosnian Serb capital. They said the agreement undermined the vital interests of the Bosniak and Croat peoples living in
SARAJEVO, June 6 (Hina) - The international community's High
Representative in Bosnia maintains a special relations agreement
between the Bosnian Serb entity and Yugoslavia does not threaten
the vital interests of any of Bosnia's three constituent peoples.
A statement issued by Wolfgang Petritsch's Office in Sarajevo on
Wednesday says the Bosnian Constitution grants either of the two
entities the right to establish special parallel relations with
neighbouring countries to the degree in which it does not violate
Bosnia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Bosniak and Croat members on the Bosnian Serb entity's
parliamentary commission for constitutional issues last week
vetoed the ratification of the special relations agreement between
Belgrade and Banja Luka, the Bosnian Serb capital.
They said the agreement undermined the vital interests of the
Bosniak and Croat peoples living in the Serb entity, as well as that
Banja Luka and Belgrade could not establish parallel relations
before Yugoslavia's parliament formally ratified the 1995 Dayton
peace agreement.
The Bosniaks and the Croats also requested that the Bosnian
parliament be the first to okay the establishment of special
relations.
Petritsch, the final arbiter in issues referring to the protection
of vital national interests in Bosnia, has said the Bosniak and
Croat objections have no foundation.
He says the Dayton agreement became effective the day it was signed,
regardless of formal ratification by the signatories, Yugoslavia
included.
The special relations agreement discriminates no one and all
annexes defining its contents will have to strongly respect
Bosnia's integrity and sovereignty, maintains Petritsch. He added
such restrictions especially referred to possibilities of defence
cooperation.
The High Representative further says Bosnia-Yugoslavia relations
have improved considerably over the last six months, as evidenced
by the establishment of a cooperation council two weeks ago. He is
hopeful such steps will expedite the solving of many issues of
interest to Bosnia's citizens.
(hina) ha