TEXT OF JOINT STATEMENT SIGNED BY TUDJMAN, IZETBEGOVIC

GENEVA, 14 Aug (Hina) - After today's meeting in Geneva, which was called by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic signed a joint statement confirming their support for the implementation of the Dayton and Washington peace agreements as well as the timely organisation of Bosnian elections. Here is the text of the statement: "On the basis of the attached Agreed Measures, approved today in Geneva, the President of the Republic of Croatia Dr. Franjo Tudjman and the President of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina Alija Izetbegovic on the occasion of the meeting in Geneva August 14, 1996 at the invitation of Secretary of State Warren Christopher confirm the following: We reaffirm our full support for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the consolidation and strengthening of the Federation as the cornerstone of the peace process. We consider that the holding of the elections on September 14 is an essential precondition for the establishment of a political structure which can strengthen a long lasting peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and affirm our intention to do everything within our power to ensure the best possible conditions for elections. In order to strengthen the Federation on the basis of the Washington and Dayton Agreements, we welcome and express full support for the approval of the attached Agreed Measures and reaffirm our full commitment to their implementation. These Agreed Measures will be signed in Sarajevo on August 15, 1996 by the President and Vice President of the Federation and by the Prime Minister of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is agreed, therefore, to implement immediately the necessary steps to dissolve the Croat Republic of Herceg-Bosna institutions and merge those functions into the appropriate ministries of the Federation. In addition, it is agreed that simultaneously the appropriate functioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be merged with Federation institutions in accordance with the Dayton agreement, related annexes, and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. - Effective August 31, 1996, in accordance with the Dayton General Framework Agreement and the Federation Agreement of November 10, 1995, the Administrative Agreements in the territory of the Federation under HVO control will cease to exist. The dismantling of the specific institutions will proceed in accordance with Annex I of these Agreed Measures. - Also effective August 31, 1996, these functions and institutions of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina that are not within the authority provided by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be transferred to the Federation or dissolved, as appropriate". (hina) rm 142036 MET aug 96