PEACE IMPLEMENTATION COUNCIL STEERING BOARD CONDEMNS CROAT SELF- RULE

SARAJEVO/BRUSSELS, March 20 (Hina) - The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council on Tuesday voiced full support for the measures taken by High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina Wolfgang Petritsch and condemned attempts to establish illegal bodies of authority, especially the so-called Croat self-rule. The Steering Board, which includes the most influential western countries and Russia, held a session in Brussels on Tuesday on the level of foreign ministries' political directors. A statement sent to Hina from the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo says the Board is very satisfied with the establishment of the new bodies of authority in Bosnia and calls on these bodies to take measures which would enable the implementation of necessary economic reforms. The Board condemns and rejects attempts to establish illegal and unconstitutional Croat self-rule and fully supports the measures taken by the High Representative with the aim of preserving the constitutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its entities, the statement says. The Board is concerned about the fact that "some religious leaders" are taking the side of political parties opposing the peace process, instead of making efforts toward reconciliation. It has also urges all political parties in the country to participate in the work of the country's constitutional institutions. (hina) rml