RESIDENTS OF WESTERN MOSTAR TAKE PART IN REFERENDUM ON CITY ORGANISATION

MOSTAR, Jan 25(Hina) - Residents of the western part of Mostar, southern Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has a Croat majority population, are today taking part in a referendum to decide whether they will accept the international community's proposal for the organisation of the city and other local self-government units in the country.#L# The referendum is being held only a week before the expiry of the deadline for the adoption of the city's statute, which, in case local politicians fail to reach a compromise, will be imposed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown. The referendum question reads: "Do you support Mostar as a single district and a single constituency with the same election procedure for the Mostar City Council and for other local self-government units in Bosnia-Herzegovina?". Polling stations close down at 7 pm and the first official results will be known after midnight. There have been no incidents during the voting. According to the latest proposal of the international community, the six current districts in Mostar would be abolished and the city would be organised as a single self-government unit with six constituencies and with such a voting system with the equal number of councillors from among constituent peoples being determined before elections. Both Croats and Muslims from Mostar have refused the proposal. The city's three districts with the Muslim majority have already conducted a referendum, voting to keep the current organisation of the city with six districts. Considering opposition from both sides, it is very likely that Ashdown will have to impose a decision on the new organisation of the city by the end of this month. (Hina) rml