DEPUTY INT HIGH REP TALKS TO REPORTERS IN MOSTAR

( Editorial: --> 8638 ) MOSTAR, July 19 (Hina) - The deputy international high representative for Bosnia on Sunday called on the Bosnian Croat leadership to continue implementing the Dayton peace agreement and to stop accusing the international community. We have to see Croats returning to Mostar and see progress in this town, Jacques Klein told reporters in the southern Bosnian town after a meeting with Martin Garrod, the head of the local high representative's office. Some leaders who are not supporting the return of refugees and displaced persons are making a huge mistake, Klein said. He was concerned about the problems in the functioning of the joint government in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and the refusal of Croat representatives in the cantonal parliament to accept arbitration on courts. Klein also condemned the attacks Garrod was recently submitted to in Mostar, emphasising he did not expect this from the Croat side. We want to cooperate with you, Klein said. The deputy high representative supported a law on special relations between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He believed the law would restore trust and incite people to stay in BH and become a legitimate part of it. The international community understands that Bosnian Croats feel marginalised, Klein said. The fact alone that the number of Croats in BH has decreased raises doubts about the future, he said. Klein emphasised Croats were a historical presence in the area and that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman was supportive of the Dayton peace agreement reiterating he wanted Croats to stay in BH. Klein told the Bosnian media they should be as objective as possible throughout the forthcoming election in September. He refuted statements that Croatian Radio Television broadcasts were banned in the Mostar area. (hina) ha 191821 MET jul 98