BOSNIAN FEDERATION FORUM TO MEET IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK

WASHINGTON, May 9 (Hina) - The Bosnian Federation Forum will meet in Washington next Tuesday under the chairmanship of US Secretary of State Warren Christopher to discuss financial and trade issues in the Federation and upcoming elections. Croatian Ambassador to the United States Miomir Zuzul said in Washington on Thursday that Croatia was very interested in reconstruction and investment projects in the Croat-Moslem Federation. "Croatia is directly interested because most business operations in the Federation will include or go via Croatia," Zuzul said. In the first stage, reconstruction projects will focus on the rebuilding of the infrastructure, including roads, railway lines and bridges, and the use of the Adriatic port of Ploce on the Croatian coast. The establishment of financial institutions, from a Finance Ministry to a central bank, is a key issue for the Bosnian Croats, Zuzul said, adding that they supported solutions envisaged by the US-sponsored Dayton peace accords. Federation President Kresimir Zubak, his deputy Ejup Ganic, Prime Minister Hasan Muratovic and Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic are expected to attend the meeting. US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns told a press conference in Washington that the meeting showed US involvement and leadership in an attempt to strengthen the Bosnian Federation. (hina) vm 092337 MET may 96