BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ZELJKO KOMSIC VISITS ST. LOUIS

ST.LOUIS, USA (August 31,2007) - The Bosnian President Željko Komšić is visiting Saint Louis in the period of 30. August – 2. September 2007, where he is meeting with the representatives of the Bosnia Diaspora.

Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan welcomed yesterday Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic to the U.S. State of Missouri as his plane landed in St. Louis. Traveling with President Komsic was Bosnian Ambassador to the U.S. Bisera Turkovic.

“It is an honor to have President Komsic here in St. Louis to help celebrate the St. Louis Bosnian Heritage Festival.St. Louis’ growing Bosnian community enriches our state by adding a wonderful cultural dimension and economic vibrancy to our community. As a nation of immigrants, it is a worthwhile reminder for Americans to witness the energy and determination a thriving immigrant population brings to our region,” said Carnahan.

President Komšić is in Saint Louis primarily upon invitation of Bosnian-Americans living and working there, which are estimated to be around 50.000. Komšić wants to find out firsthand what they expect of Bosnia and Bosnian authorities.

Earlier this week,Komsic has expressed wishes to inform Bosnian-Americans from St.Louis about the situation and problems in Bosnia,as well as the positive developments. He wants to encourage them and give them full support for actions they, as a Diaspora, conduct in the interest of the entire Bosnian State.

In addition, he wants to make an appeal to their positive position toward the country they currently reside in, to hear their opinions, consider the conditions they live and work in, hear out proposals and answer all possible questions they might have.

During the stay in Saint Louis, Komšić will also meet with about 150 businessmen with whom he will discuss the potential investments in Bosnia; all that taking place at a special conference organized in Saint Louis by the Bosnian Embassy in Washington and the Bosnian State Agency for Foreign Investment Promotion.

He will also open a great event called “Bosnian Festival”, which will gather a great number of Bosnians that live in the US.

He will also attend the 10th anniversary of “Sabah” magazine, the most printed weekly paper of the Bosnian Diaspora in the North America.

During the stay in Saint Louis, President Komšić will meet with the Mayor of Saint Louis, US congressional representatives and many local officials, as well as the media representatives.