PENALTY MEASURES AGAINST HDZ WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN -- OSCE

SARAJEVO, Nov 17 (Hina) - The decision of the appellate electoral sub-committee to execute punitive measures against parties responsible for breaching electoral rules in Bosnia-Herzegovina are final and binding, spokesman for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Luke Zahner said in Sarajevo Friday. The Croatian Democratic Union party (HDZ) has been informed f this stance, which is also the response to a request made by the party for the punitive measures against it to be withdrawn. Thirteen of the party's candidates were removed from lists of candidates for the violation of the electoral silence and irregularities in financial activities relating to the elections. Commenting on threats made by the HDZ that in case the measures were not withdrawn the party would not participate in the establishment of authority at any level, Zahner warned HDZ representatives had been elected to cooperate in the establishment of authority, not to obstruct the process. If they do so, they will not only let down the voters, but such acts will be considered a serious violation of the Dayton Agreement, he added. (hina) lml