'MUSLIMS SATISFIED - WHAT ABOUT CROATS' - VECERNJI LIST COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY $ PIECE ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - "What kind of a compromise is being sought and why should the talks on a new solution for Mostar be held, when the Muslim side is satisfied with Koschnik's decision on the administrative organisation of the city? This question, presented at a joint press conference of Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and his German counterpart Klaus Kinkel during Kinkel's visit to Zagreb, is perhaps the best answer to the question as to what is going on in Mostar", 'Vecernji list' journalist Mate Piskor writes in a commentary piece headlined "Muslims Satisfied - What About Croats?". "If the Muslims are content with Koschnik's solution, why aren't the Croats?", Piskor asks, adding that the worst thing in the whole dispute is that no one is interested in reasons of their dissatisfaction. Due to the fact that deadlines for the implementation of the Dayton agreement are at hand and due to the imposed theory that Mostar is a test for the whole Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, there is no time to search for a compromise. Prodded by its bad conscience, the West is favouring the Muslims, without heeding warnings by the Croats that Koschnik's decision threatens their equality. "The Croats have felt on numerous occasions what inequality feels like. The latest examples: because of the integrity of Sarajevo, the Croats had to give up the Posavina region, and now Croatia is being blackmailed with the issue of eastern Slavonia, so that it could pressure the Mostar Croats into giving up their position". When one takes everything into consideration, the fear of the Mostar Croats for their survival in the city becomes realistic, Piskor says. "And while the continuation of the talks and a solution that would satisfy the minimum of the interests of the Mostar Croats are being sought, it is worth recalling why the open conflict between the Moslems and Croats in central Bosnia had broken out three years ago. One should ask oneself whether the decision of EU Administrator of Mostar is putting the whole issue back at its initial stage. With all possible consequences that could ensue", Piskor stresses at the end of his commentary piece. (hina) rm jn 151330 MET feb 96