GELBARD REITERATES U.S. ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 1103 ) TRAVNIK, July 31 (Hina) - The United States envoy for the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement Robert Gelbard and Bosnian Presidency Croat member Kresimir Zubak on Friday visited Travnik, the seat of Central Bosnia Canton. After visiting Potkraj and Djelilovac, Croat villages where part of the means for returnees will be ensured by the US Agency for International Development, they held talks with Prefect Adnan Terzic and Deputy Prefect Ivan Saric. Gelbard told reporters he came to visit central Bosnia at Zubak's urging, because of the canton's importance for the Dayton peace project as a whole. He asserted the security situation in the canton was evidently poor, adding he would notify Bosnian Presidency chairman Alija Izetbegovic. Commenting on this morning's murder of Croat policeman Ante Valjan from Travnik, Gelbard emphasised that Travnik authorities were responsible for ensuring a favourable climate for peaceful living both for Croat policemen and for the Croat population. Gelbard said he believed the establishment of a multi-ethnic community in the canton would not be discontinued, adding the international community would persevere too. During his recent visit to Washington, Zubak asked for assistance to central Bosnia and this assistance will be ensured, Gelbard said. He also said that Zubak's worries concerning Travnik and central Bosnia were also his, and reiterated the U.S. government wanted to be of help. (hina) ha 312156 MET jul 98