GERMANY SUPPORTS CONTACT-GROUP'S PLAN FOR BOSNIA, KINKEL SAYS

SARAJEVO, Jan 31 (Hina) - German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, Tuesday said in Sarajevo that his government firmly supported the Contact Group's peace plan for Bosnia. He called on Bosnian Serbs to accept the plan so that political talks could resume on ending the war in Bosnia. After his talks with Bosnia-Herzegovina's most senior officials Kinkel held a press conference at which he emphasized that the international community must continue with efforts to end the war in Bosnia. "Serbs have to show now their readiness to accept a peaceful solution, and we require from Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to accept the Contact Group's peace plan," Kinkel added. Bosnia-Herzegovina's President Alija Izetbegovic said he and Kinkel shared the same view that Bosnian Serbs could be offered a deadline for expressing their position on adopting or not the peace plan, but such a deadline would not mean an ultimatum. Their rejection of the peace plan should lead up to the lifting of an arms embargo on Bosnian Government, according to Izetbegovic. Kinkel added that his government could understand for this request. But, he warned that all European partners of Germany adamantly opposed the lifting of the arms ban. Kinkel personally thought that it would be late now for such a move, believing that such a step could trigger off intensified fighting and aggravate the humanitarian situation. Kinkel had also held separate talks with President of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kresimir Zubak. He said the talks had revolved around the implementation of the Washington Accords. According to Kinkel, the situation in Mostar had to stabilize as soon as possible. (hina) mar mms 311737 MET jan 95