WASHINGTON, May 15 (Hina) - The Forum on the Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina concluded in Washington on Tuesday with an agreement between the Federation partners on a Defense Law and on the establishment of financial
institutions.
WASHINGTON, May 15 (Hina) - The Forum on the Federation of Bosnia-
Herzegovina concluded in Washington on Tuesday with an agreement
between the Federation partners on a Defense Law and on the
establishment of financial institutions. #L#
Leaders of the Federation had agreed on a federal defense law
which would unite all their armed forces under one defense ministry
and a unified command, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher
said at the closing of the Forum.
He said that the sides had agreed on establishing financial
structures which were crucial in the economic reconstruction of the
Bosnian Federation by May 31.
They had agreed on conditions in which a free exchange of
goods in the Federation would be ensured, Christopher said.
He announced the departure of a delegation of the U.S.
Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
which would resume the mission of the former commerce minister Ron
Brown who had died in an aircraft accident near Dubrovnik.
They had also agreed on steps to ensure equal access of the
media in the elections, as well as the freedom of movement for
election candidates, the press and the electorate, Christopher
said.
The sides had agreed to provide instructions of the UNHCR for
the return of refugees.
Assistance of the United States and the international
community would depend on the implementation of agreements reached
at the Federation Forum, Christopher said.
A joint statement by the participants of the Forum was on
Tuesday issued which confirmed an agreement on issues discussed.
A defense ministry and joint command structure of the
Federation armed forces are to be established within three years.
It had been agreed that the Defense Bill would be forwarded to
the Federation Parliament by May 29 and the staff necessary for the
performance of the ministry would be transferred to Sarajevo by May
31, the statement said.
As regards the elections, Federation representatives agreed to
appoint all local election committees by May 18 and to adjust
municipal borders in accordance with the border within the entity.
Through assistance of the High Representative and the Forum,
Federation officials would focus on those persons who obstructed
the implementation of the Dayton peace accords and remove them from
their positions, the statement said.
The Federation Assembly is to be recommended to form a council
for the implementation of the Federation as a mechanism for
eliminating those who present an obstacle to the performance of the
Federation.
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