STATEMENTS BY CROATIAN, BOSNIAN LEADERS AFTER SESSION IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 11 (Hina) - Following a session of the Joint Council for Cooperation between Croatia and the Republic and Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zagreb on Saturday, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman said that the Council discussed all important issues for Croatian-Bosnian cooperation and the strengthening of the Federation. "The talks were held in a spirit of general understanding and agreement on all important issues," Tudjman told reporters, adding that "the leadership of both Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are determined in continuing the implementation of the Washington and Dayton agreements to preserve peace and strengthen a new international order in the region." Tudjman said that two agreements that were signed today, along with 12 signed at the first session of the Council in Sarajevo, laid a foundation for permanent cooperation between the Federation and Croatia. "There are still open issues but they are insignificant compared to what we have achieved," he said. Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic said that agreement was reached on finalizing a pilot project for return of refugees to Jajce, Stolac, Travnik and Bugojno. The UNHCR was urged to meet its obligation of repairing houses or else it would be done with Bosnian government assistance, Izetbegovic said, adding that additional efforts would be made to enable the return of refugees to the four above-mentioned towns. Izetbegovic said he personally requested that the Bosnian Moslem community in Croatia be ensured one seat in the Croatian parliament and that it was agreed that this would be made possible after the next population census, amendment of the constitution or elections. "In this regard, the Croatian government and President Tudjman have shown understanding and we have been given assurances that this will be ensured," Izetbegovic said, expressing satisfaction with "a constructive atmosphere of the meeting." Bosnian Federation President Kresimir Zubak said that the Council session focused on the building and strengthening of the Federation and that the whole Dayton peace process depended on it. Zubak described as very important today's signing of temporary agreements on granting the Federation access to the Croatian Adriatic port of Ploce and on ensuring Croatia passage through the Neum municipality in the Federation. He welcomed resolute efforts to solve the two issues with permanent agreements. The federal partners agreed that, despite all problems in the implemention of the Federation project, evident progress had been made, he said. Zubak said that the Bosnian Croats were determined in fulfilling all of their commitments in the town of Jajce and that they took note of a promise by Federation Vice President Ejup Ganic that a pilot project would enable Croat refugees to return to Bugojno. Zubak stressed that the Bosnian Croat side would guarantee Moslem citizens free and unimpeded access to Stolac. (hina) vm 111943 MET may 96