TURKEY, BOSNIA, CROATIA END CONSULTATIONS, ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT

ANKARA, April 7 (Hina) - Delegations of Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, led by their respective high foreign affairs officials, held political consultations in Ankara on April 5-6. In a joint statement, the three delegations expressed full support of their governments for a Croat-Moslem federation agreement, signed in Washington and approved by the Parliament of Bosnia-Herzegovina. They said the agreement provided a firm basis for a lasting settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina and peace and stability in the region. High officials expressed concern about the latest attacks on the eastern Moslem enclave of Gorazde and continuation of the policy of ethnic cleansing in Prijedor and Banja Luka. They called on the international community to take an urgent action to stop further Serb aggression and rectify the results of ethnic cleansing. The delegations confirmed the aim of the Washington agreement was to preserve the integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious society. They reiterated the agreement was open to the Bosnian Serb party. The three sides agreed to support economic cooperation between Turkey, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and take joint steps in reconstructing Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. The Croatian and Bosnian delegations welcomed a decision by Turkish authorities to contribute troops to the UN Protection Force since in that way Turkey would make a balanced and effective contribution to peace efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as provide humanitarian assistance to normalize life in the region. 071105 MET apr 94