SARAJEVO, Dec 30 (Hina) - A Moslem member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's three-man Presidency and the President of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Alija Izetbegovic, on Thursday said he was expecting from the coming elections in
Croatia to help improve relations between the two neighbouring countries. "Results of the forthcoming elections in Croatia will determine how large those changes will be. In case the opposition wins, the changes will be essential. The relations will alter also if the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) wins, but it will be to a smaller extent," Izetbegovic told a news conference which he holds traditionally at the end of the year as the SDA leader. Asked by reporters Izetbegovic said it was no secret that his relationship with the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman was not particularly cordial, claiming that the reason four it was Croatian President's policy tow
SARAJEVO, Dec 30 (Hina) - A Moslem member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's
three-man Presidency and the President of the Party of Democratic
Action (SDA), Alija Izetbegovic, on Thursday said he was expecting
from the coming elections in Croatia to help improve relations
between the two neighbouring countries.
"Results of the forthcoming elections in Croatia will determine how
large those changes will be. In case the opposition wins, the
changes will be essential. The relations will alter also if the
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) wins, but it will be to a smaller
extent," Izetbegovic told a news conference which he holds
traditionally at the end of the year as the SDA leader.
Asked by reporters Izetbegovic said it was no secret that his
relationship with the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman was
not particularly cordial, claiming that the reason four it was
Croatian President's policy toward Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"His (Tudjman's) policy since 19991 has been destructive for
Bosnia-Herzegovina," Izetbegovic said.
He voiced regret at the fact that Bosnian Presidency's chairman,
Ante Jelavic attended the President Tudjman's funeral, only in the
capacity of the President of the (political party) Croatian
Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Bosnian Moslem leader
added that they had previously agreed that Jelavic should represent
the Bosnian state leadership at the funeral.
"I personally could not come at the funeral, but on the phone we
agreed that Jelavic represent the Bosnian Presidency," Izetbegovic
told reporters.
Commenting on the current state of affairs in Bosnia, he said the
developments required the continuation of the deployment and
engagement of international military and civilian components in
the country in many coming years.
According to him, the military appearance can be reduced in the next
three or four years, but civilian organisations engaged in the
implementation of the Dayton peace accords, will have to act with
the current number of staff at least in the next decade.
Izetbegovic confirmed that in his mind changes of the Dayton deal
were necessary, but they could be done only after all provisions of
the Dayton agreement were carried out.
"In 2000 the SDA will not raise the question of the revision of the
Dayton agreement," Izetbegovic added.
Asked by reporters, Izetbegovic reiterated that he viewed Edhem
Bicakcic, the Bosnian Croat-Moslem Federal Premier, as his closest
aide and the second highest-ranking official in the SDA party.
(hina) ms