LJUBIC WITHDRAWS CANDIDACY FOR HDZ BH PRESIDENT

( Editorial: --> 4435 ) MOSTAR, May 16 (Hina) - The Health Minister of the Croat-Muslim Federation of Bosnia, Bozo Ljubic, was proposed as presidential candidate for the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BH) at the party's Saturday convention in Mostar, southern Bosnia. Ljubic was proposed by the party's Presidency. The second candidate was Ante Jelavic According to HDZ President Franjo Tudjman's envoy at the convention, HDZ Vice President Ivic Pasalic, Tudjman supported Ljubic's candidacy which, he stressed, did not diminish Jelavic's achievements. Today's convention is crucial, Pasalic said, emphasising that not one move which might bring into question the unity of the Croatian people and endanger the survival of Croats in Bosnia must be made. "A great responsibility is before us (...) the destiny of our people", he said before voicing his support to Ljubic. General Ljubo Cesic Rojs invited Jelavic to withdraw his candidacy. Jelavic declined to do so, but Ljubic withdrew his candidacy due to, he said, "the atmosphere before and during the convention." At today's convention, a number of participants advocated closer cooperation between the HDZ BH and the international community, while others believed the Croat side was too flexible towards the international community. (hina) ha 162153 MET may 98