RADOS COMMENTS ON MESIC'S STATEMENT ON FINANCING CRO COMPONENT IN FEDERATION ARMY

ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - The Croatian component in the army of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina is being financed in line with a decision of the Croatian National Sabor, and an approval of the Croatian President and the Government, Croatian Defence Minister Jozo Rados said Saturday commenting on a statement of Croatian President Stipe Mesic that it was necessary to stop the financing of Croatian forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A day before the signing of an agreement on this year's financing of the Croatian component in the Federation Army, Croatian President Mesic said "Croatia must stop financing an army in another country". Minister Rados and Defence Minister of the Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina Miroslav Prce on Saturday in Zagreb signed the agreement on financial aid to the Croatian military component in Bosnia-Herzegovina based on the decision of the Croatian National Sabor on funds from this year's budget earmarked for that purpose. "I signed the agreement as an authorised person of the Croatian Government", Rados said and added that the Government "received an authorisation from the President of the State in line with regulations valid in this international business". Rados said that Mesic's statement was a political declaration, and explained that the permanent orientation of the Croatian Government was that forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina be financed from their own budget. Even though the Croatian Government and representatives of Bosnia- Herzegovina believe that this form of financing should stop, today's signing is a reflection of appreciation of reality, Rados elaborated. (hina) it