U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS SARAJEVO

SARAJEVO, 1 Jun (Hina) - The U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Sunday visited Sarajevo. At the end of her visit to the Bosnian capital, Albright said that the United States would continue to provide support in the strengthening of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the construction of the country. However, Washington wanted to see the process leading to the reconstruction of the country's once multiethnic structure, Albright added. Sarajevo represents a modern version of the Marshall plan with considerable participation of the United States, Albright told reporters, recalling a recent message by U.S. President Clinton calling on the whole international community to cooperate in the process of reconstruction of the country. Speaking in front of a Sarajevo police station, which she visited in order to express America's support for cantonal authorities, which were the first in Bosnia-Herzegovina to establish multi-ethnic police forces based on democratic standards, Albright said the U.S. wanted to see strong joint bodies of authority in Bosnia-Herzegovina, such that would take their tasks seriously and take responsibility for the future of the country. That included the return of refugees, full freedom of movement and economic revival, Albright said, stressing the importance of strengthening the Federation. Albright also recalled the need for full cooperation of all sides with the International War Crimes Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Immediately after her arrival in Sarajevo, the U.S. Secretary of State met with the Bosnian Presidency members in the National Museum building. The meeting was also attended by the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) commander Zivko Budimir, Bosnian army commander Rasim Delic and Bosnian Serb army commander Pero Colic. A standing committee of Bosnia- Herzegovina for military questions was inaugurated at the meeting. The Bosnian Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic told reporters that the task of the committee was the establishment of democratic military institutions and the creation of conditions which would help bring Bosnia closer to security integration processes. After her meeting with the Presidency members, Albright visited the Faculty of Philosophy and a nearby kindergarten the reconstruction of which was financed by the U.S. development agency USAID. Albright then laid a wreath at the bridge 'Suada Dilberovic', named after the first civilian victim of the siege of the city. She also visited the Jewish cemetery. After her visit to the Bosnian capital, Albright left for Brcko. During the day, Albright will also visit Banja Luka, where she is to meet Bosnian Serb leaders. (hina) rm 011815 MET jun 97