BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ZELJKO KOMSIC PRAISED BOSNIAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN UNITED STATES

ST.LOUIS, USA (September 1,2007) — The Bosnian president Zeljko Komsic praised the thriving Bosnian immigrant community in St.Louis as Bosnia's "best connection" to the American economy.

In a speech before the World Affairs Council of St. Louis at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel,he appealed for business investment in Bosnia.President Zeljko Komsic and his wife, Sabina, are spending four days in St. Louis during their 11-day visit to the United States. Highlights include attendance at the fourth annual Bosnian Heritage Festival in St.Louis.

Bosnian government officials say the 40,000 or more Bosnian-Americans in St. Louis constitute the largest Bosnian community in the United States. Most of them came to the United states during the 1992-1995 Serbian,Montenegrin and Croatian aggressions against Bosnia.

Komsic called the United States, with its stew of many national origins, a "role model" for Bosnia's efforts to overcome ethnic conflicts.

"Bosnia must be a country that guarantees rights to its citizens regardless of ethnic, religious or cultural identities.You are a role model for our country. ... You have managed to make this work," Komsic said.

Referring to the Bosnian community in St.Louis, he said, "I want to thank the tens of thousands of hard-working Bosnian immigrants in St. Louis for being the best connection between our countries, and for fostering better understanding and communication."

Local Bosnian-Americans like Adnan Sabic said the impact of the dignitary's rare visit is huge.

"It is nice that they come so we can make connections with them and maybe they can learn from us and we can learn from them," Sabic said.

Komsic also thanked the United States for its key role in ending the war and helping Bosnia form its own democracy.

In his 10-minute address, he said Bosnia "is seeking partnerships for fostering economic development." After he spoke, other representatives of the Bosnian government offered more detailed explanations of opportunity for American investors.

President Komsic arrived Aug. 24 in New York for visits with United Nations officials.He also spoke yestyerday to a dinner honoring Sabah, a weekly Bosnian-American newspaper with offices in St.Louis. He is to attend a Bosnian soccer tournament today and the Bosnian Heritage Festival on Sunday.

Komsic also is to visit St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church in St.Louis. This is the second visit to St. Louis by a president of Bosnia.Former Bosnian President Sulejman Tihic made a one-day stop here in 2004.

Komsic, a graduate of Georgetown University, fought with the Bosnian Army during the 1992-1995 Serbian,Montenegrin and Croatian aggressions against Bosnia and was awarded the Golden Lily, Bosnia's highest military honor. He was the chief municipal official of New Sarajevo before being elected the President Of Bosnia.