REACTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO CROAT-MOSLEM ACCORD

ZAGREB, Mar 2 (Hina) - Following are comments of Croatian public figures and political parties on the preliminary Croat-Moslem agreement signed last night in Washington. Liberal leader Drazen Budisa welcomed the signing of the preliminary agreement between the Croats and the Bosnians. The statement said the "Bosnian Moslem side accepted a high level of decentralisation, since the state is to be arranged as a community of cantons associated on an ethnic principle, while the Croatian side relinquished its 'confederation or nothing' approach." Budisa expressed reserves with regard to the future confederation between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Social Democrat leader Ivica Racan said his party supported the preliminary agreement "insofar as it helps bring an end to the war, achieve a lasting peace, and preserve the integrity of Bosnia- Herzegovina as the only guarantee against Serbian aggression and the idea of Greater Serbia, as well as the integrity of Croatia by solving the problem of occupied territories." The Socialist Party of Croatia (SSH) greeted the preliminary agreement "if it is the first step towards the end of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina", and if the entire Croatian people in Bosnia will be enabled to exercise their rights. SSH stressed that without the participation of the third side in Bosnia, there is no end to the war. The Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU) said that the preliminary agreement "represents a first degree political event" which is a considerable blow to the Serb side. The Croatian Christian Democratic Party (HKDS) also greeted the agreement, but warned that "as long as Serbs do not accept the solutions within the spirit of the Washington agreement, peace will not be achieved in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Croatia". The Croatian Democratic Party of Rights (HDSP) said that with this agreement, the first phase of forming the third Yugoslavia is completed, and it should be prevented by all means. The Croatian National Council (HNV) of Bosnia-Herzegovina, established at the Congress in Sarajevo on 6 February, fully supported the agreement mentioning that president of the HNV Ivo Komsic and member of the Council friar Ivan Bubalo participated in the Washington talks within the frame of the delegation of Bosnia- Herzegovina and that they represented interests of Bosnian Croats. 021732 MET mar 94