HDZ BH CONFERENCE ADVOCATES UNITY AND TOGETHERNESS

( Editorial: --> 4369 ) MOSTAR, May 16 (Hina) - The fifth convention of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BH) began Saturday in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar. A new president and leadership, as well as a programme declaration are expected to be elected and passed. During today's debates, the participants advocated unity and togetherness within the HDZ BH. HDZ President Franjo Tudjman's personal envoy, HDZ Vice President Ivic Pasalic, conveyed Tudjman's message advocating unity in these "difficult times". One of the HDZ BH's fundamental tasks is to contribute to the keeping of lasting peace in Bosnia, Pasalic said. Croatia's leadership believes a consistent implementation of the Dayton and Washington peace agreements is the way to preserve lasting peace. Pasalic advocated political responsibility in order to "avoid bringing into question that policy which warrants the existence of the Croatian people in BH." The head of the Mostar regional office of the international High Representative for Bosnia, Martin Garrod, read out a note from High Representative Carlos Westendorp. Westendorp said he understood the concern of the Croatian side as to the preservation of the cultural, national and religious identity in Bosnia. He was willing to assist. Without Croats, BH is impossible and this is the standpoint of the international community. The Croats' future in BH lies in complying with the Dayton and Washington peace agreements, Westendorp said in his note, advocating the return of Croats to Sarajevo, central and northern Bosnia. The High Representative said Croat existence in BH was not possible by advocating a third entity or a different cantonal structure. Incidents such as recent ones in Drvar and Stolac must not reoccur, as they create a climate which many Croats want to escape from. Today's conference of the HDZ BH should establish a new course, Westendorp said, adding that recent obstructions to the implementation of the peace agreements must not take place again. Today's conference is also attended by a numerous delegation from Croatia including Vladimir Seks, Vice Vukojevic, Milan Kovac and Mario Kapulica, as well as Split Mayor Ivan Skaric, as a representative of the Croatian Social Liberal Party. (hina) ha jn 161636 MET may 98