DEFENSE ACT IS ONE OF MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES FOR BOSNIAN FEDERATION

FEDERATION ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - The assistant to the U.S. State Secretary, John Kornblum, on Monday warned that the passing of the Defense Act and the establishment of a financial structure were the most important political issues of the Bosnian Federation. #L# "We had a very detailed discussion about some issues that we are facing as are the Defense Act and the establishment of the financial structure of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina," Kornblum said after talks with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. He stressed the importance of establishing a Finance Ministry and tax agencies. "I am calling on the people of Croatia as I have called on the people of Sarajevo, to treat this as the main political issue," Kornblum said after the meeting at which were present the head of the U.S. main headquarters, Lieutenant General Wesley Clark, the assistant to the U.S. Finance Secretary, David Lipton, the Croatian defense and finance ministers, Gojko Susak and Bozo Prka, respectively. Kornblum reiterated the importance of the freedom of movement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing that it was important for all three communities. Describing the one-hour talks with Tudjman as very useful, Kornblum announced his visit to Belgrade where he wants to clear up some unclear issues. "This was a very useful discussion. We have clear views of problems. I ensure you that we are determined to implement the Dayton peace Agreement. I am going to Belgrade to make sure that we are making the same progress there," Kornblum said. The Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ivan Simonovic, who was also present at the talks, said that the Federation was in a very sensitive period before the elections. He said that the meeting also tackled the function of the Forum for the Bosnian Federation which is to soon take place in Washington. (hina) lm 062224 MET may 96