BARRY'S VISIT TO ZAGREB - SIGN OF CROATIA'S RECOGNITION

SARAJEVO, Oct 26 (Hina) - The visit of head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina Robert Barry to Zagreb, scheduled for Friday, should clear all misunderstandings about different interpretations of electoral regulations to be implemented in Bosnia-Herzegovina, OSCE spokesman in Sarajevo Luke Zahner said Thursday. We expect Barry's explanations to entirely clear up all misunderstandings, Zahner told reporters in Sarajevo Thursday. He added Barry was scheduled to hold talks with officials of the Croatian government, which had forwarded a non-paper to the OSCE mission and Office of the High Representative in Bosnia- Herzegovina expressing concern about amendments to the regulations for electing representatives to the House of Peoples of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to new regulations, all representatives in the House would be elected by all representatives in cantons' assemblies as opposed to the previous rule according to which Croats were elected only by Croats and Bosniaks only by Bosniaks. We are aware of differences in opinions the Croatian government and President have on this issue, Zahner said, adding however, a meeting between President Mesic and Barry was not scheduled. He added the non-paper forwarded by the Croatian government would not be discussed within the OSCE Permanent Council. Zahner described Barry's visit to Zagreb as a sign of the recognition of Croatia which is one of the countries co- signatories of the Dayton Agreement. The OSCE spokesman reiterated the amendments to the electoral regulations would not bring the equality of Croats in Bosnia- Herzegovina to question. When asked why the House of Peoples was not established also in Republika Srpska, which would protect interest of Croats and Bosniaks, Zahner said this was a complicated constitutional operation and it was not possible to implement it in such a short time period. In Republika Srpska, an entirely new body would have to be established while in the Federation, only the reorganisation of the already existing institution had to be conducted. The office of member of Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Ante Jelavic on Thursday issued a statement that Jelavic forwarded a s letter to the United Nations Security Council Chairman, Martin Andjabi protesting against the amendments to the electoral regulations. On behalf of the state and political leadership of Croats in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Jelavic protested against amendments to electoral regulations with an explanation the amendments were violating the Bosnia-Herzegovina Constitution as well as the Dayton Agreement. (hina) it jn