MEMORANDUM ON REORGANISING BH STATE TELEVISION GOES INTO EFFECT

( Editorial: --> 0823 ) SARAJEVO, June 12 (Hina) - Bosnian Presidency Chairman Alija Izetbegovic on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding enabling the reorganisation of Radio Television Bosnia- Herzegovina (RTV BiH). The Memorandum had already been signed two days ago by the Croat member of the Bosnian Presidency, Kresimir Zubak, and the international High Representative Carlos Westendorp. Izetbegovic postponed the signing of the document several times, making different requests. At a conference held in Sarajevo today, Izetbegovic said he did not want to sign the document until he received guarantees that RTV BiH would be preserved and that an international representative, who is to sit in the RTV BiH administrative board, would not have the role of a censor. "I have received assurances that he will be a friendly mediator who will secure international assistance necessary for the functioning of RTV BiH," Izetbegovic, a Bosniak (Muslim), said. By signing the Memorandum, Izetbegovic and Zubak have gained the right to nominate part of the administrative board members, to which the Union of RTV BiH Employees is also entitled. However, the High Representative has the power to confirm or reject all nominations. The third member of the Bosnian Presidency, Serb representative Momcilo Krajisnik, said he would not sign the Memorandum. His signature though is not necessary since the highest state body can make decisions with a two-thirds majority in such cases. The current state television will be transformed into a corporation for the production and broadcasting of programmes on the state level, while one part of it will be transformed into a broadcaster for the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. (hina) rml /mbr 122013 MET jun 98