OFFICE OF HIGH REPRESENTATIVE REPLACES 22 ELECTED OFFICIALS

SARAJEVO, Nov 29 (Hina) - Twenty-two elected officials in Bosnia- Herzegovina from among the country's constituent nations were replaced on Monday in line with a decision adopted by the international community's High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch and the head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Robert Barry. #L# Alexandra Stiglmayer, spokeswoman for the Office of the High Representative (OHR), told reporters in Sarajevo today the decision was prompted by repeated breaches of the Dayton Accords and numerous legal regulations as well as by the obstruction of the reconciliation process and refugee return. Stiglmayer said the decision was made following an agreement between the BH Presidency members, presented in a recently adopted New York Declaration, that "there is no room on the political scene in Bosnia-Herzegovina for anti-Dayton forces which advocate ethnic hatred and division". Heading the list of 22 replaced officials is Banja Luka Mayor Djordje Umicevic, for whom it is stated that through his acts and statements he had created an atmosphere in which the return of displaced people and refugees to Banja Luka was impossible. Umicevic is followed by Mirsad Veladzic, Una-Sana Canton Prefect, who, according to the OHR's explanation, obstructed the implementation of the 1997 election results, instigated and tolerated continued violence, and intimidated his political opponents. Jusuf Zahiragic, Sarajevo Canton Justice Minister, was replaced due to the deliberate obstruction of the refugee return in the Sarajevo Canton area. The list also includes Dzevad Mlaco, a former municipal head of the central Bosnian town of Bugojno and currently a representative in the state parliament and the Central Bosnia Canton parliament. The list includes the names of the mayors of a number of towns in both entities. (hina) mm rml