"They don't need money because they own a State"

Coalition "Joint List '97"

Sarajevo, 10 August, 1997 (AIM) - "Political fight is a marathon race where Joint List is taking a part. Those who are interested and those who are not interested are taking a part in it at different sections. So, it is possible that SDP B&H, which left coalition after the last elections, join the List again. They are welcomed, but only if they do not betray their voters and if they accept the platform of which they were creators too", said Mr. Stjepan Kljujic, President Republic Party B&H, at today's press conference of Joint List. This was, actually an answer to the public rumor, based on an interview of Mr. Sejfudin Tokic, President UBSD, in "Vecernje novine", that SDP might join the "Joint List '97" again.

Mr. Kljujic added that, if opposition parties or Democrat Alternative turns against each other, they will never play at the "main court", and that is, certainly, not their goal. SDP as political partner or some kind of coalition player, is specially welcomed in Tuzla, because that region is under everybody's attack at the moment. He stated that the List expects at the September Elections, the same situation as it was in Serbia, where opposition parties took over the government in bigger centers. "Any how, the clash inside the Joint List was on personal level, but not because of different political opinions", said Mr. Stanko Sliskovic, President HSS B&H.

When asked to comment the situation, where leading parties are giving no comment to the OSCE decision not to finance the preelection campaign, Mr. Kljujic answered: "What they need money for, when they own a State? At last election that was just an extra money for them. Their campaigns are an obvious example of misuse of State for political means". He also, complained to OSCE Media Commission regarding the treatment of the List at RTV B&H, where the List has it's representation at the end of daily program, or no terms at all (Satellite Program B&H). Regarding the B&H diplomacy he stated: "The Parliament must accept the Platform for Foreign Activities, because we now have the Ambassadors who represent a whole State. If some of them are acting out or against agreed Platform, they should be replaced".

"The most efficient sanction is to eliminate from next elections those who manipulated during registration process", added he at the end of press conference.(End)