SARAJEVO, Sept 12 (Hina) - Sarajevo Arch-Bishop Cardinal Vinko Puljic on Thursday forwarded a request to heads of leading parties in the Bosnian Federation, representatives of the Serb ethnic community in Sarajevo, deputy high
representative for the implementation of the peace agreement Michael Steiner, and assistant U.S. State Secretary John Kornblum, that the agreement on the organization of the Bosnian capital be signed.
SARAJEVO, Sept 12 (Hina) - Sarajevo Arch-Bishop Cardinal Vinko
Puljic on Thursday forwarded a request to heads of leading parties
in the Bosnian Federation, representatives of the Serb ethnic
community in Sarajevo, deputy high representative for the
implementation of the peace agreement Michael Steiner, and
assistant U.S. State Secretary John Kornblum, that the agreement on
the organization of the Bosnian capital be signed. #L#
Puljic recalled that the status of Sarajevo as the capital of
a multi-ethnic and decentralized state of Bosnia-Herzegovina had
been the focus of discussions during the past few weeks.
Stressing that all ethnic groups had to be guaranteed suitable
participation in the city authorities, jobs, university services
and the right to an apartment, Puljic asked that they be ensured
equal legal protection to preserve their ethnic, religious and
cultural identity.
Puljic said in his letter that he saw "true elements for such
a Sarajevo in the suggestion whose mediator was Michael Steiner,
however, I do not see why it has not been signed yet. I fear that
the signing after the elections would arrive too late".
He warned that many citizens felt great insecurity because of
cases of forceful and illegal evictions from apartments.
Puljic called all institutions and individuals participating
in the talks about the status of Sarajevo to do everything so that
the agreement be signed before the elections on Saturday.
(hina) lm
121939 MET sep 96