CROATIAN REPS MEET REPUBLIKA SRPSKA OFFICIALS IN BANJA LUKA

ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - 'The delegations of the Republic of Croatia and Republika Srpska, member of Bosnia-Herzegovina, held talks in Banja Luka on January 20, 1996', said a statement, signed on behalf of the two delegations by Croatian President's advisor on humanitarian issues, Slobodan Lang and President of the Government of Republika Srpska, Rajko Kasagic. #L# The statement, sent today from Mr Lang's office to the Croatian news agency Hina, said that the two sides had greeted the signing of the Dayton agreement (with all annexes) and the arrival of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They also expressed wish that conditions for normal life and for the establishment of economic and other relations be created as soon as possible. 'Revokation of compulsory work order in Republika Srpska was welcomed as a concrete measure for the improvement of the human rights situation as well as the action 'Save Life' aimed at the protection of civilians, especially of Serb civilians who remained in Croatia, in former U.N. protected areas (Sectors North, South and West). The statement also greeted the establishment of the State Commission for Human Rights in Republika Srpska. 'We support the idea that all citizens, regardless of their religion, nationality and political persuasion, are equally treated', the statement said. The statement further stressed the importance of the exchange of all prisoners of war, the establishment of freedom of movement of all citizens and the freedom of religious life of all religious communities. 'The delegations of Republika Srpska and the Republic of Croatia state that there is mutual interest in the re-establishment of economic relations considering the fact that their pre-war cooperation had been very good', the statement said. The two sides called on the media to contribute to the establishment of peace and agreed to maintain regular contacts. (hina) rm jn 222038 MET jan 96