Leaders: Muslims, Hard-Liners In Charge

In the clearest sign yet of tensions threatening Bosnia’s political unity, a bitter dispute broke out Monday over the growing influence of the ruling party and Muslim clergy in the army.

Five of the seven members of the country’s multi-ethnic presidency charged that army units were being brought under the control of Muslim clergy and hard-liners allied with President Alija Izetbegovic.

The statement, read on Bosnia Radio, reflected worries that Bosnia is losing the pluralistic character it ostensibly is fighting to defend against Serb aggressors, and instead is becoming a oneparty, Islamic state.

Izetbegovic apparently angered other members of the presidency when he delivered a rousing speech Saturday at a celebration of the 7th Muslim Brigade, an allMuslim unit based in Zenica in central Bosnia.

The brigade has acquired a reputation for intolerant and extreme behavior in the course of Bosnia’s 34-month-old war.