MOSTAR, Nov 11 (Hina) - A referendum which the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) has initiated for Croats in that country has been proceeding without problems, the referendum's organisers said in Mostar on
Saturday. Bosnian Croats are called by the HDZ and kindred political parties to give their opinions on a declaration on the rights and position of this people in Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to the referendum's initiators, the declaration advocates the equality of Bosnian Croats and the set-up of Croat institutions throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina. It also suggests a new constitutional, legal and territorial arrangement of the country, which the Croatian people's parliament proposed at its founding session on 28 October in Novi Travnik. The international community's officials in Bosnia have condemned this move of the HDZ BiH. In addition, they cautioned that the referendum might represent a violat
MOSTAR, Nov 11 (Hina) - A referendum which the Croatian Democratic
Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) has initiated for Croats in
that country has been proceeding without problems, the
referendum's organisers said in Mostar on Saturday.
Bosnian Croats are called by the HDZ and kindred political parties
to give their opinions on a declaration on the rights and position
of this people in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to the referendum's initiators, the declaration
advocates the equality of Bosnian Croats and the set-up of Croat
institutions throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina. It also suggests a new
constitutional, legal and territorial arrangement of the country,
which the Croatian people's parliament proposed at its founding
session on 28 October in Novi Travnik.
The international community's officials in Bosnia have condemned
this move of the HDZ BiH. In addition, they cautioned that the
referendum might represent a violation of the ban on electioneering
as the referendum was scheduled for the day of the general elections
(November 11).
Upon the opening of polling stations on Saturday morning, an OSCE
spokesman said there were no attempts to disturb the election
process which might be caused by 'the opinion polls' - a term which
the international community uses to label the referendum.
Luke Zahner of the OSCE mission said all sites where the 'opinion
polls' were conducting - were sufficiently far from regular polling
booths.
Several parties with the 'Croat' premodifier were against this
referendum as well, including the Croatian New Initiative (NHI),
the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) in Bosnia, and the Croatian
National Community. They also refuted to take part in the Novi
Travnik founding meeting of the aforementioned parliament.
Leading dignitaries of the Catholic Church in Bosnia - Archbishop
and Auxiliary Bishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic and Msgr.
Pero Sudar respectively - called on the faithful to go to the polls
in the general elections this Saturday but they made no mention of
the referendum in their statement, released on November 8.
However, Puljic and Sudar, who expressed concern that voters could
be confused by the entire run-up to the election, suggested to
voters to cast their ballots for "wise, honest and courageous
persons" who will "promote the welfare of all people and the
equality of (Bosnia's) nations on the entire territory of the
country" which they see as the only path towards "the construction
of just society".
The referendum's organisers claimed the event was organised in
compliance with rules and regulations at all 600 sites where it was
taking place. One interesting fact is that the referendum is being
organised at border crossings in Neum and Ivanjica (in a region
between Trebinje and Dubrovnik), Izacici, Kamensko and Orasje.
(hina) ms