WESTENDORP PROPOSES BOSNIA'S SPEEDY ENTRY TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE

STRASBOURG, April 27 (Hina) - The international High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Carlos Westendorp, on Tuesday proposed in Strasbourg that Bosnia should be accepted to the Council of Europe in an accelerated manner. Addressing the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Carlos Westendorp, said Bosnia should be treated as a special case and granted the full membership by the end of this year. Such a move would stimulate the Dayton processes and contribute the stabilisation in Bosnia which is faced with the negative impact of the Kosovo crisis, he held. There are now only two countries in Europe - Serbia and Bosnia- Herzegovina - that are outside the Council of Europe, and these are two totally different situations, the Spanish diplomat said. He explained that to admit Bosnia into the Council of Europe would be a clear sign that the international community was supporting the implementation of the Dayton and democratic processes. Bosnia should fulfil basic conditions for the full membership, and following the admittance, a reinforced monitoring should ensue on how the country is meeting other commitments, he added. On Tuesday, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly commenced a discussion on Bosnia's bid to be granted the full membership, with considering reports submitted by commissions for political issues, human rights, and the culture and education. The reports cover achievements made by the country since 1995 when Bosnia became a candidate for a Council of Europe member-state. All three members of Bosnia's collective Presidency -Alija Izetbegovic, Ante Jelavic and Zivko Radisic - took part in morning's discussion. They reiterated that their country would like to be accepted into the Council of Europe soon. After Georgia was received in the organisation on Tuesday, the Council of Europe has 41 member-states now. (hina) jn ms