BOSNIAC-CROAT FEDERATION - KEY TO PEACE PROCESS

SARAJEVO, Jan 26 (Hina) - The European Union Commissioner for external affairs, Hans van den Broek, who arrived in Sarajevo today, warned that the military part of the peace agreement could not be implemented without the implementation of the civil part of the peace deal and vice-versa. Speaking at a press conference, van den Broek said that the international Implementation Force (IFOR) should constructively cooperate with international associations which are assisting the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina. #L# The initial difficulties concerning the organisation of the implementation of the civil part of the agreement had been expected, because it was not accompanied by such a structure as was NATO, which secured the implementation of the military part of the agreement, van den Broek said, adding that the European Union was ready to give financial support for the reconstruction of Bosnia- Herzegovina. The EU had so far secured 65% of humanitarian aid which had been dispatched in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the war and it intended to give further 82,5 million ECUs in the first and another 62 million ECUs in the second phase, he added. The strengthening of the Bosniac-Croat Federation was of crucial importance for the peace process, van den Broek said, adding that it was very important and encouraging that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman had expressed support for the project during the talks in Zagreb. The European commissioner considered that the arrival of hundred policemen from Croatia in Mostar would considerably contribute to the settlement of the crisis in the city. This morning, Van den Broek held talks with the President of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kresimir Zubak. He is also to meet with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic and Premier Haris Silajdzic. (hina) rm 261353 MET jan 96