JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 4646 ) SARAJEVO, Apr 4 (Hina) - Japanese Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi Saturday delivered a donation of 45 public transport buses, equipment for a main transmission line and four tractors to the Bosnian capital. Japan will continue to assist Bosnia-Herzegovina, Obuchi said. He believed his country's assistance would contribute to reconciliation among Bosnia's three peoples and to the economic renovation of a unified Bosnia. Today's donation was accepted on Bosnia's behalf by Bosnian Council of Ministers vice president Haris Silajdzic, who said Japan was demonstrating its solidarity with the Bosnian peoples. "Since the reconstruction of BH began, Japan has been one of the biggest donors, with close to US$300 million of non-repayable funds promised at donor conferences", Silajdzic said. The first Japanese donations have shown good results, he pointed out, as all projects financed by Japan are very important for the restoration of economy and Bosnia's infrastructure. Silajdzic singled out the purchase of US$25 million-worth power supply equipment for a system that will connect Bosnia's two entities as particularly important. Obuchi today also held talks with Bosnian Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic, who confirmed that Japan was one of the biggest donors for Bosnia's reconstruction. Japan and Bosnia have to strengthen cooperation, the Japanese Foreign Minister said, adding Japan wants to contribute to the peace process in BH. (hina) ha 041811 MET apr 98