FEDERATION PARLIAMENT SUPPORTS DRAFT LAW ON SECRET SERVICE

SARAJEVO, July 8 (Hina) - The House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday supported a draft law on the Federation security-intelligence service, which would replace the two existing separate police forces operating on the territories with the majority Bosniak, that is, majority Croat populations. The draft will be the basis of a final bill on the unification of the existing Agency for Investigation and Documentation (AID) and the Service for National Security (SNS), which have been operating separately. The draft, made with the assistance of international representatives, provides for the establishment of a service which would be based in Sarajevo and be headed by the Bosniak and the Croat member of the state Presidency, as its director and deputy director. The same procedure of appointment is envisaged for the chief inspector and his deputy. The service would be authorised to conduct security and counter- intelligence activities. Members of the service, whose number, identity and salaries will be confidential, will not have the power to arrest although they will be able identify citizens. (hina) rml