U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UN ON SITUATION IN BOSNIA

NEW YORK, March 23 (Hina) - A United States official said in New York on Thursday it was not a coincidence that some in the Bosnian Croat community after the recent change of authority in Croatia were even more fierce in opposing the implementation of the Dayton peace agreements and the strengthening of a multinational community in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Extreme nationalists in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar have become increasingly fierce in resisting changes after new, democratic authorities in Croatia have taken steps in view of normalising relations and making assistance to Bosnian Croats transparent, deputy U.S. permanent representative to the UN Ambassador James Cunningham said. According to Cunningham, resistance to the implementation of the Dayton peace agreements mostly comes from certain political circles and criminals attempting to preserve and protect their illegal earnings. The ambassador condemned radical forces in Republika Srpska, Bosnia's Serb entity, who were threatening the holding of impending local elections. Such actions call for a resolute answer on the part of the UN Mission to Bosnia, the Office of the international community's High Representative, and the Security Council, he said. Cunningham called on the international community to increase support to those in Bosnia who showed courage and determination to work on the implementation of the peace agreements. (hina) ha jn