SFOR warned Thursday that any moves to create a separate Croat military would violate the Dayton Peace Accords. A Bosnian Croat armed force outside the federal structure is not permitted under Dayton. SFOR was reported to have stepped up inspections and patrols of Croat-dominated military bases. Now, he said, patrols were doing unannounced inspections after working hours and at night. The Federation government made a move Friday to hit the HDZ where it would hurt the most by dismissing its loyal customs officers on the border with Croatia.
Smuggling is suspected to be a major source of income for party leaders.
Federation customs director Filip Andri was canned Friday, and Oslobo enje cited his obstructionism and potential harm to the customs service if he remained on the job. Andri and 18 other Croat customs heads had renounced their loyalty to the Federation the day before. They all urged Bosnian Croats to use constitutional, legal ways to take care of their problems. Or, he said, neither entity should have them, and entity constitutional commissions can address equality issues. Zubak said that this should clear up any doubt about the position of Bosnian Croats.