INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CONSIDER TUDJMAN'S INITIATIVE FOR DEMILITARISATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

FOR DEMILITARISATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ( Editorial: --> 1219 ) ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - International factors are currently considering President Tudjman's latest initiative for the demilitarisation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a source close to the Croatian Government said on Friday. A written proposal detailing this initiative has been sent to the addresses of all key political figures who influence the situation in the region. "All Contact Group members have been acquainted with the initiative," the source said. The Contact Group includes the United States, Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia and Italy. President Tudjman floated his new idea of demilitarising Bosnia- Herzegovina for the first time on Wednesday, during a meeting with the foreign ministers of France and Germany. The idea involves the demilitarisation of Bosnia-Herzegovina based on non-aggression pacts between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and guarantees by the international community, for Bosnia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the implementation of the Dayton and Washington Agreements. The goal of demilitarisation would be to prevent future conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina and to preserve the constituent status of the three nations and two entities. Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said on Friday that the militarisation scheme was especially important for Bosnian Croats as the least numerous nation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. President Tudjman's initiative has only been outlined in the most general terms - its geostrategic, political and military implications are yet to be elaborated. "The idea is still in its strategic stage and needs further elaboration," the source said. The source stressed that the idea was quite "open for discussion". Apprised of President Tudjman's idea, Russian Foreign Minister Eugeni Primakov said on Friday that this initiative "stirred a great interest". (hina) jn as/mrb 202022 MET mar 98