THE EIGHT WANT SPEEDIER IMPLEMENTATION OF DAYTON AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON, 23 June (Hina) - The leaders of the seven major industrialised countries and Russia released a statement from their summit meeting in Denver on June 22 reaffirming their determination to speed up the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia- Herzegovina. The Eight called on all sides in Bosnia-Herzegovina to fulfil their obligations under the Peace Agreement and stressed that the aim of the international community is Bosnia-Herzegovina as a single democratic, prosperous and multi-ethnic country. 'We are working to create conditions for a self-sustaining peace", the Eight said, adding: " When the Parties meet the necessary conditions, we are prepared to implement the full reconstruction program and to support considerable debt reduction by the Paris Club." Some elected officials are harmfully blocking key aspects of economic reconstruction, delaying international assistance, the statement said. It also stressed the importance of the right of all displaced and refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina to return to their homes, as well as the importance of developing democratic institutions and implementing all aspects of the Peace Agreement in Brcko. The Eight further stressed the importance of cooperation of both Bosnian entities and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia with the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). "Full access to economic and other assistance, as well as integration in regional and international institutions, is dependent on compliance with these obligations," the statement said. "We remain concerned that Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the regional signatories to the Peace Agreement, are not demonstrating a stronger commitment to the peace process. They must also make significantly greater progress to meet international standards of human rights, democratic processes, media freedom and treatment of minorities and refugees. Further progress towards integration in European and international institutions will depend on improvements in these areas", the statement said. (hina) rm jn 231854 MET jun 97