BH FEDERATION PRESIDENT WANTS URGENT DECISION ON BRCKO

( Editorial: --> 1166 ) VIENNA, 11 Feb (Hina) - The President of the Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina, Ejup Ganic, on Wednesday requested the international arbitration commission for Brcko to make a decision without further postponement on whether Brcko will become part of the Federation or Republika Srpska, or both. "Time is not on the side of those who were ethnically cleansed. Time kills justice. We want a decision based on relevant legal evidence", said Ganic at a media conference in Vienna. Every postponement means buying time and the continuance of ethnic cleansing. The decision on Brcko has been postponed since 1996 when it was supposed to be made, said Ganic. Postponing the decision on Brcko also postpones the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement and on the other side supports the division of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ganic added. The Federation needs an exit to Europe and Brcko is the "gate" which signifies the survival of the Federation and Bosnian Muslims, said Ganic. He said the Federation currently hinged on only one exit to the south. Ganic did not exclude the possibility of supporting the proposal that Brcko be placed under joint control of both entities. "That would not satisfy justice but I want a resolution that will have some elements of justice and some practical aspects," he said. Talking about the announcement from Republika Srpska Premier Milorad Dodik that Brcko had to remain in the Serb entity, Ganic said that Dodik relished in the support of his party but he (Ganic) expected Dodik to support justice for Brcko. "Dodik must show that he represents an alternative," said Ganic. Giving Brcko to the Republika Srpska would lead to Republika Srpska getting closer to Belgrade and the Federation nearing Zagreb, said Ganic. Bosniaks would be left in an enclave and that would be the end of Bosnia-Herzegovina and peace in the region for many years, he said. After a year's break, the arbitration commission, headed by American Roberts Owen, resumed with the hearing of witnesses last week. It was officially announced that the final decision on the fate of Brcko will be made by 15 March. However, diplomatic sources say the decision could be postponed once again. (hina) jn mrb/rm 111829 MET feb 98