EJUP GANIC BECOMES PRESIDENT OF BOSNIAN FEDERATION

( Editorial: --> 1429 ) SARAJEVO, Dec 29 (Hina) - Bosnian Federation President Vladimir Soljic and his deputy Ejup Ganic switched posts on Monday in line with a decision by the federal parliament. At a handover ceremony, Soljic said that 1997 was the year of great progress for the Croat-Moslem Federation, particularly in developing the legal system and strengthening the economy. "In the Federation, people live much better now and can move more freely than at the beginning of the year," Soljic said, noting that much more could have been done with regard to the return of refugees. Commenting on the fact that after today's handover of duties not a single Croat held a leading post in executive bodies of authority in the Federation and the State of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Soljic said that such a situation should be changed urgently because it was a result of various alterations to the Dayton peace agreement. "If there is good will this will be corrected, but if there is not, it will hinder many processes. I think it is in everyone's interest and obligation to change this," Soljic told reporters. Ganic said that Soljic and he would work together on strengthening the internal structure of the Federation and ensuring the unconditional return of refugees and a more balanced regional development. He noted that one of the important tasks would be to strengthen cooperation with Croatia, particularly through agreements on property protection, the use of the Croatian seaport of Ploce and economic relations. Ganic is the first Bosniac (Moslem) to become president of the Bosnian Federation since its foundation in spring 1994. The post was first held by Kresimir Zubak, who was replaced by Soljic after being elected a member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's collective presidency in September 1996. (hina) vm mm 291922 MET dec 97