IPTF DEMANDS REMOVAL OF PROZOR POLICE CHIEF

( Editorial: --> 1720 ) SARAJEVO, 13 Feb (Hina) - The International Police Task Force (IPTF) command in Bosnia-Herzegovina has called for the instant removal of Prozor police chief Franjo Slisko, accusing him of frequent violations of service regulations and disrespect of standards of professional conduct. On Friday the United Nations' Sarajevo spokesman Alexander Ivanko said IPTF Commissioner Manfred Seitner forwarded a demand for Franjo Slisko's removal to Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Interior Minister Valentin Coric. According to the IPTF, there are at least 30 instances in which Slisko breached regulations of professional behaviour, more than any other police official in Bosnia. He is being accused of, among other things, hindering the work of IPTF monitors, rejecting to hand over police documentation for inspection in order to verify complaints by citizens about the work of police, hindering the work of joint police patrols and rejecting cooperation in the investigation of a fire in a mosque in the Croat- controlled town, which occurred in July last year. The IPTF accuses Slisko of rejecting to protect citizens and giving false information to international observers. In his demand to Coric, Commissioner Seitner reminded the Minister of the fact that the IPTF never gave consent for Slisko to hold the position of a police official. (Hina) jn mb 131609 MET feb 98