DIPLOMATS URGE COMPROMISE IN MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Sept 25 (Hina) - The chairman of the commission for the reform of, German diplomat Norbert Winterstein, on Thursday announced that it would be necessary to find a compromise in trying to restructure that southern city inn Bosnia-Herzegovina. #L# Winterstein made his comment just prior to the first meeting of the newly appointed commission consisting of representatives of all six political parties represented in Mostar's City Council. Winterstein's appeal for a compromise ensued after the failure of the previous commission that fell apart late July because it could not come to an agreement over the nature of Mostar's reorganisation. The first commission was dominated by councillors from national parties (Croatian Democratic Union - HDZ BiH, and the Party for Democratic Action - SDA). Bosniak (Muslim) councillors from SDA boycotted the work of that commission because they did not agree with the planned abolishment of the current six city municipalities - three where Bosniaks accounted for a majority and three Croat-populated municipalities. Councillors from all six parties (ruling and opposition) involved in the new commission were ordered by the Office of the High Representatives (OHR) to come up with a draft statute for the City of Mostar by December 15. Deputy High Representative Werner Wnendt, whom the High Representative Paddy Ashdown appointed as a special mediator in negotiations on Mostar, stated that the reforms in that city were part of a package of reforms including reforms to the defence system and intelligence services in B-H. Asked whether the possible abolishment of Mostar's six municipalities (that were set up on the basis of the Dayton Accords) would in fact mean that the agreement would in fact be modified, Wnendt said that the reorganisation (unification) of Mostar was more a process rather than an act. (hina) sp ms