ZUBAK SEEKS OPEN DISCUSSION OF CROAT-BOSNIAK PROBLEMS

SARAJEVO, March 28 (Hina) - Coexistence of Croats with other nationalities who live in Bosnia-Herzegovina is not at all questionable if the country is arranged as a state community which guarantees full equality for everyone, Bosnian Presidency member Kresimir Zubak said in an interview published in Saturday's edition of Sarajevo daily "Dnevni avaz". Zubak emphasised that the Croat nation in Bosnia-Herzegovina sought local self-government and a high level of political and cultural autonomy which currently existed in other multinational states such as Switzerland and Belgium. "We will not accept Bosnia-Herzegovina if we are found in a situation where we are outvoted," Zubak warned. He recalled that the Croat nation had up to now sufficiently shown how much it cared for Bosnia-Herzegovina, beginning from voting in the independence referendum and participation in the defence of the country. Zubak said that for Croats it was neither necessary nor needed that Bosnia-Herzegovina be divided and on the contrary she was desired if their equality was respected. "Action through institutions, by themselves, is not enough. It is time for a meeting in which all relations can be discussed and this without taboo themes, dramatisation and politicisation," Zubak suggested. He also pledged for a serious discussion on a proposal for the demilitarisation of Bosnia, emphasising that such an agreement would be achieved under the auspices of the United Nations or NATO, which would be the best guarantee for an integral Bosnia- Herzegovina. Zubak said the proposal by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman would not mean the full demilitarisation of Bosnia but it would be carried out in measures which were acceptable for the budget, because the Croat-Muslim Federation of BH was not in a situation to bear huge military costs. (Hina) jn mb 281303 MET mar 98