ZAGREB, Jan 20 (Hina) - The European Union Administrator of Mostar, Hans Koschnik, accepted a proposition by the Croatian Government that Croatian police forces be deployed both in the eastern and western part of Mostar.
ZAGREB, Jan 20 (Hina) - The European Union Administrator of Mostar,
Hans Koschnik, accepted a proposition by the Croatian Government
that Croatian police forces be deployed both in the eastern and
western part of Mostar. #L#
After a meeting with Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman, on
Saturday when they discussed the establishing of the Federation of
Bosnia-Herzegovina and the situation in Mostar, Koschnik said the
Croatian Government proposed that its police forces, along with the
Western European Union (WEU) police, would try to defeat crime and
criminal gangs in both parts of Mostar.
'It was a proposal which I accepted', said Koschnik.
When and how they will arrive and act in Mostar will be
determined on Monday, when local Croat and Moslem authorities in
the city, Croatian Defence Minister, Gojko Susak, and either the
Bosnian Foreign Minister or the Bosnian Prime Minister on Moslems'
behalf, are holding a meeting in Mostar.
Koschnik said the Croatian Police contingent would be under
the command of his deputy, an EU police commissioner.
He added that Croatian policemen would be deployed in both the
parts of the still divided city, and held that it would be no
problem as the Moslem side had previously asked that policemen of
the Republic of Croatia would be in place there as well.
Koschnik directly connected problems in Mostar with problems
and stalemate in establishing the Croat-Moslem Federation of
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to Koschnik, everything what was happening in
central Bosnia directly influenced the problems which were cropping
up in Mostar.
Asked when Herzeg-Bosnia might be dissolved he replied
that Herzeg-Bosnia could not be dissolved as long as cantons and a
joint government of the Federation were not established.
He believed that the establishment of a joint police force
would be the first step towards uniting Mostar, and after that, at
the end of May, elections should be organized and city authorities
established.
The European Union should hand over the Mostar Administration
to 'elected mayors and an elected council' till 22 July 1996. The
EU would only keep its office in Mostar which would deal with
'finances, aid, and counseling, but not with administration'.
Commenting on roles of Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman, and
his Bosnian counterpart, Alija Izetbegovic, in the establishment of
the Bosnian Federation, Koschnik said that 'they should tell people
that they want the Dayton Agreement to be implemented, but not only
in Mostar.
He described the talks with President Tudjman as "good",
adding that he had received a lot of support from Tudjman.
(hina) lm mms
201716 MET jan 96