MIRKO SAROVIC TAKES OVER OFFICE OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA PRESIDENT

SARAJEVO/BANJA LUKA, Jan 26 (Hina) - Mirko Sarovic, a former Vice President of Republika Srpska, on Wednesday took over the office of Republika Srpska President after the replacement of Nikola Poplasen due to his obstruction of the Dayton peace agreement in March last year. At today's session of the Bosnian Serb National Assembly in Banja Luka, Sarovic told representatives he was willing to fulfil the request of the Serb Democratic Party (SDS), whose member he is, to take over his presidential duties in line with the Constitution. Sarovic's decision was supported by majority. Immediately after his taking over the office of Republika Srpska President, Sarovic said he intended to appoint the new premier designate. "I appreciate what the government run by Premier Milorad Dodik has done but it is still the government which was not appointed by the current but by the previous composition of the Assembly and the former Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic," Sarovic said announcing he would make moves regarding the replacement of the incumbent premier Dodik who enjoys the support of the international community. According to unofficial announcements, carried by the media in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, the person Sarovic is likely to appoint as the new premier is Dragan Ilic, president of the Socialist Party parliamentary bench. (hina) rml