STATEMENT FROM VISOKO CONGRESS OF BOSNIAN FRANCISCANS

VISOKO, Aug 2 (Hina) - The Franciscans of Bosnia-Herzegovina convened in Visoko from the 26th to the 30th of July for their regular congress, held every three years, said the Franciscans in a statement on Tuesday. Visoko is a small township 20 km N. of Sarajevo, currently under Bosnian army control. "If a lasting peace is to be established, Bosnia-Herzegovina must remain an integral state within its internationally recognised borders, built on the principles of law, democracy and equality of the three constituent nations," said the statement, welcoming "every effort toward this end, particularly the Washington and Vienna Agreements." "We emphasize that the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina can realise their religious, cultural, national and political identity primarilty through dialogue with members of other nations, religions and cultures," concluded the statement, signed by Franciscan Provincial Petar Andelovic. (hina) mar as 021550 MET aug 94