SOLJIC URGES SAFE RETURN OF REFUGEES

SARAJEVO, Sept 2 (Hina) - The President of the Croat-Moslem Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vladimir Soljic, is satisfied with the fact that the international community has found effective methods of pressure by which it forces all sides in Bosnia-Herzegovina to be implementing the Dayton agreement. At a news conference on Tuesday, this Bosnian Croat leader spoke about the situation in the Federation. In Sarajevo, Soljic told reporters that the international community had begun taking tough measures as the establishment of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and its entity, the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was one year late. Croats had thought that most of the pressure of the international community was again exerted on them, either via the Republic of Croatia or directly, he said. "However, as time passes, it seems to us that the international community has really found the right method how to balance the responsibility and treat equally all sides. We are very pleased with it," + Soljic added. Speaking of problems in implementation of a plan for the return, he said that the international community had chosen central Bosnia to be a priority in the return of refugees, as the Central Bosnian Canton had the highest number of the expelled. In that area the pre-war national structure of the population had been changed more than anywhere else. There was no Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina without multiethnic central Bosnia, Soljic claimed and added that it was in vain to oppose the action of the return and those who thought they could oppose it were much mistaken. The Federation's President was, however, concerned about the amount and brutality of the opposition to the return of refugees to central Bosnia. He said that in the area rallies were staged, civilians were abused, arrested and killed. In a very short period six people - five Croats and one Moslem (Bosniak) - were killed, but cantonal authorities failed to take action, Soljic added. Asked why arrests of Croats, and even the beating of a group of them at police station in Travnik, had not been reported, Soljic said that the Croat party had wanted to enable the Moslem leadership to overcome the situation and create a possibility for the return of a greater number of refugees to central Bosnia. But, now the security and safety of people should be regarded as a priority. There would be no return without security, he explained. Commenting on elections in Mostar, Soljic said that it was almost certain that the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) party in that southern city would boycott the forthcoming elections and that Croats would not go to the polls. According to the party's records, the HDZ in Mostar should be a winner or, at least, on an equal footing with others. However, the establishment of a special constituency in Mostar's central zone, and the removal of HDZ candidates from lists would lead to a situation in which Croats could legalise their defeat in Mostar, he added. (hina) jn mš 021759 MET sep 97