BOSNIAN CROATS, MOSLEMS TO START TALKS ON MOSTAR EARLY NEXT MONTH

MOSTAR, Feb 24 (Hina) - Leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Moslem-led Democratic Action Party (SDA) are to meet on March 6 or 7 to discuss the future political status of the southern city of Mostar, the EU administration said in Mostar today. The meeting was proposed by the European Union administrator of Mostar, Hans Koschnik. Koschnik's aide, Martin Garrod, told a press conference today that these talks would be of vital importance for Mostar. The EU Mostar administration had earmarked 1.6 million German marks to encourage small businesses in Mostar. The funds would be allotted to five banks in both sectors of the divided city to be used for loans or grant loans as of March 1 this year, Garrod said. The EU estimated that this would create up to 500 new jobs. (hina) mm vm 241245 MET feb 95