[19980626]96-526F_波斯尼亚穆斯林克罗地亚联邦：波斯尼亚和平的关键？.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web96-526 FUpdated June 26, 1998Bosnian Muslim-Croat Federation:Key to Peace in Bosnia?Steven WoehrelSpecialist in European AffairsForeign Affairs and National Defense DivisionSummaryThe Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina was established in March 1994, withU.S. mediation. It aims to unite areas held by the largely Bosniak (Muslim) pre-warrepublic government with areas held by Croats. The Bosnian peace agreement, signedin Dayton in November 1995, recognized the Federation and the Bosnian SerbRepublika Srpska as two largely autonomous entities within a weak, but sovereignBosnia and Hercegovina union. Real political, economic and military integration ofBosniak and Croat-held areas has been slow to materialize. The United States hasplayed a key role in setting up the Federation and in efforts to make it viable. The long-term viability of the Federation is open to question, however, due to continued mistrustbetween the two sides and significant differences in their perceived interests. Thisreport will be updated as events warrant.BackgroundThe Federation was established in March 1994