CHIRAC CALLS ON BOSNIA'S PEOPLES TO BUILD FUTURE TOGETHER

( Editorial: --> 5222 ) SARAJEVO, April 7 (Hina) - The French President Jacques Chirac on Tuesday called on the peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina and their political leaders to cast away their unpleasant memories of the past filled with conflicts and turn to building Bosnia-Herzegovina together as an integral part of Europe. Chirac said this in his speech before the highest state officials in the National Theatre in Sarajevo. The speech was broadcast live by TV Bosnia-Herzegovina. Chirac called on Bosnia's peoples to follow the example of Charles de Gaule and Konrad Adenauer who after World War II decided to change the course of history and relations between the French and Germans, whose past was characterised by mutual animosity. There is nothing more absurd than hatred based on different origin, Chirac said adding that Bosnia should be a bridge between the East and West, Christianity and Islam. At the same time, Europe has the obligation of not allowing new division similar to that agreed in Yalta happen on its territory, Chirac said. Paris and the whole of Europe will strongly support peace and reconstruction in Bosnia, having a clear vision of the country as one multicultural state in a stabilised region, fully integrated in the European community of peoples, said Chirac. The last several months show that this vision is possible, Chirac said commending High Representative Carlos Westendorp for his decisions on the adoption of laws which enabled the functioning of the most important state instruments. Attending the speech in the National Theatre were the President of the Bosnian Presidency Alija Izetbegovic, Presidency member Kresimir Zubak, the Federation President and Vice President Ejup Ganic and Vladimir Soljic respectively and the Republika Srpska President and Premier Biljana Plavsic and Milorad Dodik respectively. The Serb member of the Bosnian Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik did not attend the speech. (hina) jn rm 071515 MET apr 98