OHR, OSCE MISSION HEAD REPLACE OFFICIALS IN DRVAR, LIVNO CANTON

SARAJEVO, Sept 16 (Hina) - The High Representative in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission's head in Bosnia, Robert Barry, on Thursday decided to replace several officials in the western Bosnian town of Drvar and Livno Canton, who, it is said, are directly responsible for the difficult situation in that part of the Croat-Muslim entity. OSCE Mission spokesman Alexandar Nietzsce told reporters in Sarajevo the former Drvar mayor Milan Marceta and the president of the Municipal Council, Borivoj Malbasic, were relieved of their duties. Marceta was replaced by Momcilo Bajic of the Coalition for Drvar, which was formed by Serb refugees from Drvar, whereas Malbasic's successor will be suggested by the local branch of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BiH). Nietzsce said the High Representative and the OSCE Mission head regretted that Marceta had to be relieved of his duties, because he had done a lot for the return of refugees and displaced people to Drvar. However, Marceta was not able to perform his duties as mayor due to continual threats, which continued after he had been assaulted last year. Marceta was not forbidden to run again in the elections, as had occurred in previous cases of replacement. Borivoj Malbasic was replaced because he had called only one session of the Municipal Council since the confirmation of election results for Drvar. The OSCE spokesman said the most prominent representatives of the international community in Bosnia- Herzegovina were deeply disappointed with HDZ's obstructionist behaviour in the performing of duties to which HDZ representatives were elected. The High Representative also replaced Livno Canton Justice Minister Stipe Babic, holding him directly responsible for the lawlessness and poor results in the return of refugees in the canton. Alexandra Stiglmayer, spokeswoman for Petritsch's office, said the assessment by the U.N. Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, had shown that in the area in question there was no criminal prosecution of persons suspected of grave criminal acts, whereas members of minority ethnic groups were exposed to discrimination both by the judicial system and the police. Livno Canton Interior Minister Ante Barisic was requested to take urgent measures and ensure the functioning of a joint police force, the return of refugees, and the investigation into all criminal acts and cases of violence. Barisic was warned that his previous statement on the deportation of returnees was extremely inappropriate, and that the fulfilment of international requests was the only way for him to prove his commitment to the Dayton agreement. (hina) jn rml