IZETBEGOVIC SATISFIED WITH KOSTUNICA'S VISIT TO SARAJEVO

SARAJEVO, Oct 24 (Hina) - The visit of Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica to Sarajevo is an important political event and a step towards the right direction, president of the Democratic Action Party (SDA) Alija Izetbegovic said Tuesday. In an interview for Sarajevo daily "Dnevni Avaz", Izetbegovic commented on talks Kostunica held in Bosnia-Herzegovina's capital with members of the state Presidency and Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic. "This event could in a way be considered our victory", Izetbegovic said. "This is a clear recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina", the Bosniak political leader said. He confirmed the Bosniak side had certain doubts about Kostunica's arrival in Sarajevo, primarily because of the fact that talks were not scheduled to take place in the headquarters of state institutions. One of the reasons for doubts was that it was not known what kind of a statement Kostunica might have gave after the talks. According to Izetbegovic, the crucial role was played by head of the United Nations Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina Jacques Klein. We would of course prefer an apology for the aggression and evil Serbia caused in the past period. We would also like to hear a message of Bosnian Serbs that Bosnia-Herzegovina is their Homeland and that their problems should be solved here", Izetbegovic said. "After democratic changes in Croatia and now in Serbia, it is evident that a new era took place in the region", Izetbegovic said. (hina) it