WASHINGTON, May 31 (Hina) - After the elections in 2000, Croatia has set an important example for countries of the South East of Europe, and can be the propelling force of their joint cooperation on new grounds, participants of a
conference focusing on the situation in the region, taking place in Washington, said today. At the invitation of the Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) and with the cooperation of the Dayton Peace Agreement Project, about a hundred politicians, diplomats, scientists, representatives of non-government organisations and reporters gathered today to discuss the achievements and faults of the Dayton peace accords, problems and challenges in the region and possible political solutions. One of the organisers, Janusz Bugajski, said one of the goals of the conference was to harmonise suggestions which would assist in forming a George Bush's government policy towards countries
WASHINGTON, May 31 (Hina) - After the elections in 2000, Croatia has
set an important example for countries of the South East of Europe,
and can be the propelling force of their joint cooperation on new
grounds, participants of a conference focusing on the situation in
the region, taking place in Washington, said today.
At the invitation of the Centre for Strategic International Studies
(CSIS) and with the cooperation of the Dayton Peace Agreement
Project, about a hundred politicians, diplomats, scientists,
representatives of non-government organisations and reporters
gathered today to discuss the achievements and faults of the Dayton
peace accords, problems and challenges in the region and possible
political solutions.
One of the organisers, Janusz Bugajski, said one of the goals of the
conference was to harmonise suggestions which would assist in
forming a George Bush's government policy towards countries of the
South East of Europe.
When it comes to America's political military and political role,
all participants agreed the US ought to remain in the region in a
military and political capacity.
A part of the present US administration, primarily Defence
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, claims the American military task in
Bosnia-Herzegovina has ceased a long time ago and American soldiers
should withdraw.
The states of the region must assume responsibility for their
future, but they do need international assistance in the process,
president of the Dayton project, Bruce Hitchner, said.
The NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina was
criticised for not having done anything to bring the main war crimes
suspects before the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Participants assessed that democratic forces and civil
institutions should be consolidated in Bosnia.
Croatian Ambassador Ivan Grdesic called on Belgrade to cease its
special relations with the Bosnian Serb entity of Republika Srpska
and suggested it think about Bosnia's and the two entities'
internal restructuring.
Grdesic asked a stable electoral law be passed in Bosnia so
regulations are not adopted according to momentary needs.
Several participants of the conference asserted that the
maintaining of the current federal Yugoslav structure can only be a
source of instability.
Because of the historic burden the idea of regional connection
carries with itself in the region of the former Yugoslavia, some
participants advocated the idea of the creation of an informal
multilateral institution.
Representatives of countries in the region stressed the need for a
quicker economic development and larger influx of foreign capital
and business.
The organisers of the conference expressed wish the American
Congress hear the joint views of the participants, for which an
opportunity will be created when the Senate's international
relations committee discusses the situation in the Balkans next
week.
(hina) lml