SFOR INCREASES PRESENCE IN BIJELJINA & BANJA LUKA & PALE

( Editorial: --> 5529 ) SARAJEVO, 19 Jan (Hina)- The presence of NATO soldiers in Banja Luka, Bijeljina and Pale has been increased so that a peaceful hand- over of authority to the new Republika Srpska government, elected yesterday, could be secured, spokesman for the Stabilisation Forces in Sarajevo, Louis Garneau, announced on Monday. This is not a unilateral action but a result of the international community's decision that it is necessary to remain alert, said Garneau. Garneau's words of caution for SFOR indicates increased observation including vigilance of government buildings. Spokesman for the High Representative, Simon Haselock, said today that the new government of Republika Srpska was completely democratically elected and it is now necessary to secure that it takes over its powers without obstruction. He said the international community remains ready to secure all types of assistance for improving the economy of Republika Srpska. Constructive constributions to the peace process will be rewarded, said Haselock, emphasising that a number of reconstruction projects have been stopped because of stands taken by the previous Republika Srpska government. UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski today expressed hope that the newly elected government will show more willingness to cooperate in the return of refugees. UN spokesman Alexander Ivanko said the plan to reorganise the police force in the Bosnian Serb entity would continue with the new government and that the International Police Task Force does not have information on how many active police are loyal to Plavsic and how many are under Pale's command. (hina) mm mrb 191627 MET jan 98