STATEMENT BY GRANIC ON FEDERATION FORUM MEETING

ZAGREB, 9 August (Hina) - Speaking tonight on the Croatian TV news hour, TV Dnevnik, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic confirmed that yesterday's meeting of the BH Federation Forum in Sarajevo unfortunately did not meet expectations regarding a partial transfer of authority between the Government of Herceg Bosna and central Bosniak authorities to the Government of the BH Federation. Speaking about the US sponsored meeting in Sarajevo, where he represented Croatia, in accordance with an agreement made by President Tudjman during his recent visit to the USA, Mr. Granic said:. "The Croatian side and Mr. Bildt expressed their strong support for a political declaration that had been drafted by the USA and tabled at the meeting. The Croats, lead by Mr. Zubak, had only two minor amendments, both of which were accepted. Debate of Bosniak amendments took practically only two hours (...) However, about ten minutes after I left Mr. Muratovic walked in and said that the Bosniak side did not agree with the agreement," stated Dr. Granić. Dr. Granic believes that "the matter requires concerted efforts, because the Federation could suffer heavy damages. That specially concerns federal institutions, which will not be able to function after 15 September, the BH elections. And that will give significant leeway to the Serb side and the Serb entity." At the end of the interview Dr. Granic stressed the Croatian side would "do its best so that an agreement can be reached," adding that in Sarajevo "the Croatian side did not present any difficulty, because it practically immediately agreed to the draft that was tabled by the USA." mr (Hina) 092213 MET aug 96