BOSNIA'S PRESIDENCY HIGHEST AUTHORITY AS OF TODAY - BILDT

SARAJEVO, Sept 30 (Hina) - The international community's High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Carl Bildt, said on Monday that the first meeting of the newly-elected Bosnian Presidency had begun in a constructive atmosphere. Bildt expressed satisfaction that the three members of the collective Presidency - Alija Izetbegovic, a Moslem, Kresimir Zubak, a Croat, and Momcilo Krajisnik, a Serb - met less than 24 hours after the September 14 election results had been certified. As of 16.00 hours today the Presidency is officially the highest authority of Bosnia-Herzegovina, although the first meeting is to a certain degree unofficial. Today they run and control their united country, Bildt told reporters outside the Saraj motel on the outskirts of Sarajevo where the meeting was taking place. Bildt said that the three men knew each other in good times and in bad, and that the most important thing at the moment was that the Presidency met regularly and that its members were in permanent contact. Efforts will be made in the next couple of days to establish direct telephone lines among the offices of Presidency members. Asked why the Presidency held its first meeting in a restaurant, Bildt said that this was expected to be the place of only one meeting. We have recommended them several venues for the first meeting, and they have chose this one, he added. (hina) vm jn 302023 MET sep 96