NO AGREEMENT ON ADOPTION OF DEFENCE LAW, B-H FEDERATION DEFENCE MI

MI $ NISTER SAYS SARAJEVO, 31 May (Hina) - The question of a defence law for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina would not be included in the agenda of the next session of the Constituent Assembly, because the Muslim-Bosniac side refused to accept the agreement reached in Washington between the Croat and Bosniac sides, the Federation's Defence Minister Vladimir Soljic said. 'This is a serious warning and I think it could represent a turning point. If the parties in the Federation are not able to adopt basic laws, then any discussion on the reintegration of Bosnia-Herzegovina is unnecessary', Soljic said. #L# Misunderstanding occurred because agreement had not been reached on whether recruits would be able to chose freely where they would serve - in the Bosnian army units or the Croatian Defence Council (HVO). The other contentious issue - chief command, was solved satisfactorily. The question which caused the misunderstanding, was actually solved in Washington, but the Bosniac side refused to accept it and it was not expected that 'progress will be made at this stage', Soljic said. The agreement on the defence law was signed at a meeting of the Forum for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Washington. It was signed by the Federation President Kresimir Zubak (on behalf of the Croat side) and the Federation Vice-President Ejup Ganic (on behalf of the Muslim side), as well as by former foreign minister Muhamed Sacirbey and Bosnia's military representative in Washington, Selmo Cikotic. Without the adoption of the defence law, it would not be possible to implement the 'Train and Equip' program, Soljic said. (hina) rm 312206 MET may 96