WASHINGTON, 14 May (Hina) - The U.S. administration expects that the Forum for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which gathered highest officials of the Federation, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia for a session in Washington on
Tuesday, is to agree on a defence law for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the establishment of its financial institutions.
WASHINGTON, 14 May (Hina) - The U.S. administration expects that
the Forum for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which gathered
highest officials of the Federation, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia
for a session in Washington on Tuesday, is to agree on a defence
law for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the establishment
of its financial institutions. #L#
'We are ready to help the Federation only if it has
institutions with which foreign governments and investors can
cooperate', U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher told during
the opening of the Forum.
Christopher stressed that an 'equip and train' program of the
Federation's military forces would not start until agreement is
reached on a defence law and the unification of Croatian and
Bosniac forces.
According to the U.S. administration, the most disputable part
of the defence law referred to the issue of recruitment and the
establishment of a joint Croat-Bosniac army command. The Croat side
demands that recruits should have the right to chose the place of
military service while the Bosniac side holds that the place of
military service should be determined by the Defence Ministry.
Progress had to be made during today's talks if elections,
which are the next very important issue, are to be held,
Christopher said.
The Forum for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina was
established in March on the initiative of the United States. The
Forum is a body which has the task to solve difficulties in the
implementation of the Washington and other agreements relating to
the Federation.
Federation's President Kresimir Zubak, Vice President Ejup
Ganic, Bosnian Premier Hasan Muratovic and Foreign Minister
Jadranko Prlic, are taking part in today's session of the Forum.
The session is also attended by U.S. Secretary of State Warren
Christopher, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and deputy to
the high international representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Michael Steiner.
Later during the day, participants in the Forum will meet with
U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The formal opening of the Forum was translated simultaneously
from English into the 'Federation language'.
Journalist could switch on 'Only English' and 'Only
Federation' translations. However, 'Only Federation' was neither
Croatian nor Bosniac but Serbian.
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