ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) +believes that the agreement on special relations between Croatia +and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina is of extreme importance +for Croatia as well as for the future of
the Federation and the +status of Croats living there, HDZ vice president Ivic Pasalic told +reporters in Zagreb on Thursday.+ The agreement, initialled on Tuesday, is the basic precondition for +the establishment of concrete, institutional, completely +transparent relations between Croatia and the BH Federation. +Croatia must have legal opportunities and transparent forms of +support for the survival and normal living of Croats in Bosnia-+Herzegovina, Pasalic noted.+ An especially important part of the agreement is Article 12, +according to which Croats and Bosniaks will have to reach consensus +on all crucial issues, in line with the Federation
ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)
believes that the agreement on special relations between Croatia
and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina is of extreme importance
for Croatia as well as for the future of the Federation and the
status of Croats living there, HDZ vice president Ivic Pasalic told
reporters in Zagreb on Thursday.
The agreement, initialled on Tuesday, is the basic precondition for
the establishment of concrete, institutional, completely
transparent relations between Croatia and the BH Federation.
Croatia must have legal opportunities and transparent forms of
support for the survival and normal living of Croats in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Pasalic noted.
An especially important part of the agreement is Article 12,
according to which Croats and Bosniaks will have to reach consensus
on all crucial issues, in line with the Federation Constitution.
The adoption of this provision was suggested by President Franjo
Tudjman so that speculations about the vulnerability of Croats due
to the fact that they are the least numerous people in BH could be
avoided.
The consent the Bosniak delegation gave to the agreement and the
agreement itself offer hope for the establishment of trust in BH,
Pasalic said.
The frequent accusations claiming the state leadership obstructs
the signing of some agreements are unjustified, the HDZ official
said.
The state leadership had every reason to postpone the signing of the
agreement on passage through Neum (BH Federation) by Croatian
citizens and the use of the Croatian port of Ploce by Bosnia-
Herzegovina until the agreement on special relations was signed.
Had President Tudjman initialled the agreement on Ploce and Neum,
one would have had to wait for the agreement on special relations
for a long time, Pasalic said adding the agreement on special
relations and its future annexes were the basis for a lasting and
stable peace in the region.
The party also welcomes the decision of the international community
to participate in the conference on reconstruction and development
in Croatia, to be held on December 4 and 5, HDZ vice president Jure
Radic said.
Croatia expects international assistance in reconstruction,
accommodation of refugees and displaced people and it offers and
expects partnership in the reconstruction of economy, Radic
added.
Speaking about the reconstruction of war-ravaged areas, Radic said
that about US$2.5 billion was needed for the reconstruction of
homes and infrastructure. This amount is the basis for all refugees
to return to their homes, Radic said adding that the state would
continue to care for Croat refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Yugoslavia.
He announced that the state would build 100 new houses in Kistanje
(Zadar hinterland), and new settlements in the areas of special
state concern.
As regards the country's economic revival, the international
community will be offered two groups of projects. The first one
includes some 700 reconstruction projects in local communities,
while the other group consists of projects aimed at construction
and reconstruction of strategic infrastructure, and development of
family farms and small entrepreneurship, Radic said.
(hina) rml,