JELAVIC: SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS ESSENTIAL FOR CROATS IN BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 3793 ) MOSTAR, Sept 28 (Hina) - The September elections were essential to the position of Croats in Bosnia - Herzegovina, but also very important for "the events in the political life of Croats in Bosnia - Herzegovina," said on Monday Ante Jelavic, president of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia - Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), and the new Croat member of the joint Presidency of Bosnia - Herzegovina. He pleaded for a more balanced participation of Croats from all parts of Bosnia - Herzegovina in the HDZ Bosnia - Herzegovina, it being the leading Croat party in Bosnia - Herzegovina. According to the information of the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the HDZ would have six seats in the Parliament of Bosnia - Herzegovina, 27 seats in the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia - Herzegovina, and one deputy in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Jelavic said at today's press conference in Mostar. "We have won a victory in a period very difficult for Croats in Bosnia - Herzegovina," Jelavic said. He declared that 80% of Croat electorate had chosen to give their votes to the HDZ and himself as its candidate. In his opinion, the greatest election success of his party had been achieved in Republika Srpska, where the HDZ now had one seat in the Bosnian Serb entity's parliament. He added that the HDZ of Bosnia - Herzegovina would require the consent of 51% of the Croat electorate for the drafting of the law on the election of the Presidency of Bosnia - Herzegovina members. The new president of the Federation of Bosnia - Herzegovina would be elected by the party among two or more candidates, Jelavic said. The new member of the Presidency of Bosnia - Herzegovina supported the proposal of the Foreign Minister of Bosnia - Herzegovina, Jadranko Prlic, according to which Mostar should be the capital of the Federation of Bosnia - Herzegovina. The special American envoy Robert Gelbard was informed of the suggestion, and, according to Jelavic, took it seriously. (hina) jfk / jn / lml 282032 MET sep 98