Croatian Leader Makes 1st Wartime Visit to Sarajevo

Croatia’s president made his first wartime visit to the Bosnian capital Tuesday to lend support to the Muslim-Croatian alliance.

“I am convinced that we are at the end of the tragedy that this city, and the Muslim nation and Croatian nation with it, had to live through,” President Franjo Tudjman said as he formally opened a new Croatian Embassy.

Bosnia’s Croats and the Muslim-led government initially fought together against Bosnian Serbs when war began in April, 1992. But their alliance collapsed a year later in battles for land in central and southwestern Bosnia.

At U.S. urging, the Croats and the government signed an accord March 18 to form a loose federation. Reversing course, Tudjman supported formation of the Muslim-Croatian federation with political and economic links to Croatia.

Tudjman arrived on a U.N. flight from the Croatian port of Split amid heavy security. Six U.N. armored personnel carriers, Bosnian and Croatian police, and military special forces blocked the downtown area.

After meeting with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic, Tudjman walked down Sarajevo’s main street, shaking hands with residents, as he headed for the new embassy.

Tudjman later flew by U.N. helicopter to Vitez in central Bosnia, scene of Muslim-Croatian battles last year.

The federation’s parliament was expected to meet today to confirm a Cabinet. A president and vice president were chosen last month.

Federation delegates also have approved a constitution and merged their military commands. But the federation’s future remains in doubt because Bosnian Serbs, who control 70% of Bosnia, refuse to have anything to do with it.