US ATTORNEYS TO INVESTIGATE INTO CLAIMS ON CORRUPTION IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Sept 14 (Hina) - At the request of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the US law firm "McDermott, Will & Emery" will investigate claims on corruption in Bosnia- Herzegovina, published last month by the New York Times, an attorney involved in the case said on Tuesday. Speaking at a news conference in Sarajevo, Jeoffrey Bakes said US attorneys and the Federation Government would establish an expert commission which should suggest legal measures for fighting corruption more effectively. Bakes said the hiring of US attorneys would be directed to the investigation of all claims from an article written by Chris Hedges, after which concrete recommendations on measures to be taken would be given. Bakes confirmed that the air company "Air Bosna" planned to file a law suit against the US paper due to the claim that the son of Alija Izetbegovic (a member of the state presidency) has an important share in the ownership structure of "Air Bosna". US attorneys could participate in preparing this suit as well. Five US legal experts will cooperate with Vasvija Vidovic, who is representing the BH Federation. Until recently, Vidovic was the representative of Bosnia-Herzegovina before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). (hina) rml