SARAJEVO, 4 June (Hina) - Representatives in the Constituent Assembly of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina supported a Federal government program of activities at a session held in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The most important task of
the federal government was the establishment of federal bodies of authority at all levels, Federation Premier Izudin Kapetanovic said.
SARAJEVO, 4 June (Hina) - Representatives in the Constituent
Assembly of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina supported a
Federal government program of activities at a session held in
Sarajevo on Tuesday. The most important task of the federal
government was the establishment of federal bodies of authority at
all levels, Federation Premier Izudin Kapetanovic said. #L#
'Our basic task is to strengthen the Federation as a
multiethnic state with market economy', Kapetanovic said, stressing
that considerable results had been achieved in the last four
months, despite numerous difficulties. Particularly important was
the establishment of a customs system and the removal of internal
customs borders. In the next period, the government would try to
establish united tax and payment systems as well. The Federation
government would try to perform large public works in cooperation
with the World Bank as well as other projects which would secure
the employment of demobilized Bosnian army and Croatian Defence
Council soldiers.
The Government has drawn up three-year reconstruction programs
which would cost some 5 million dollars. The reconstruction of
destroyed and damaged residential buildings will be given priority.
The Constituent Assembly adopted a report of the Assembly
Commission for constitutional questions, which in the last five
months has been preparing amendments to the federal Constitution so
as to adjust it to the provisions of the Dayton peace agreement. A
representative of the Commission, Kasim Begic, reported that 21
amendments had been fully adjusted and that three amendments were
yet to be discussed. Those amendments should regulate the transfer
of certain authorities between Bosnia-Herzegovina and the
Federation, the appointment of heads of diplomatic and consular
offices, the appointment of military officers and the status of
Sarajevo.
Begic announced that agreement on those issues could be
reached already during this session of the parliament, which is to
last several days. Members of Croat and Bosniac parliamentary
benches accepted that the vote on the constitutional amendments be
held after the session. According to the provisions of the Dayton
peace agreement, constitutional changes should have been made three
months ago.
The Constitutional Assembly is to continue the session. It is
expected that a bill on defence could be additionally included in
the agenda, should Croat and Muslim representatives coordinate
their stances.
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