SARAJEVO, Aug 29 (Hina) - Croatia's and Bosnia's top diplomatic representatives in Zagreb and Sarajevo on Sunday resolutely denied rumours alleging a severance was possible in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
SARAJEVO, Aug 29 (Hina) - Croatia's and Bosnia's top diplomatic
representatives in Zagreb and Sarajevo on Sunday resolutely denied
rumours alleging a severance was possible in diplomatic relations
between the two countries.#L#
According to the rumour, the break-up in relations would be due to a
statement the co-chairman of Bosnia's Council of Ministers, Haris
Silajdzic, made regarding the Croatian state leadership's
accountability for the war in Bosnia.
Quoting an unnamed Croatian government official, Sarajevo-based
news agency BH PRESS earlier today released a news item submitted by
its correspondent from Zagreb which announced a break in diplomatic
relations.
The measure has allegedly been requested of Croatian Premier Zlatko
Matesa by "the right wing of the HDZ (the ruling Croatian Democratic
Union)," the source says.
Croatia's Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Damir Zoric, told
Bosnian television's evening news on Sunday that such claims were
completely unfounded.
"Our goal is to advance, and not to worsen mutual relations. It is
certain that misinformation of this sort also contributes to the
deterioration of those relations," Zoric said, pointing out that a
severance of diplomatic relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina cannot
be either Croatia's goal or interest.
Bosnian Ambassador to Zagreb Hasan Muratovic confirmed on Bosnian
television there were no indications that the Croatian government
might sever diplomatic relations with Sarajevo.
"This news has been fabricated completely. It is irresponsible
speculation," Muratovic said and criticised BH PRESS for even
giving permission that such information be put forward in an
entirely uncritical manner.
(hina) ha