IPTF COMMANDER FROM TRAVNIK TRANSFERRED TO BANJA LUKA

( Editorial: --> 2249 ) VITEZ, June 18 (Hina) - Ron Newton, commander of the International Police Task Force station in Travnik, central Bosnia, has been transferred to Banja Luka, IPTF spokesman Allun Roberts told a press conference in Vitez on Thursday. The Stabilisation Force headquarters in Sarajevo has decided to transfer Newton because he has been accused in the media of having reportedly said that the organisers of the murder of the Croat police officer Perica Bilic and all other murders in Travnik were members of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Roberts said that Newton was aware of the gravity of this act and the situation in the Travnik area, adding Newton made no such statement. However, an investigation in underway and Newton has been transferred to Banja Luka. IPTF will help in the investigation into the murder of Perica Bilic but it has to be precise and effective, Roberts said. He blamed high officials in the canton and federation interior ministries for the lack of efficiency in investigating the murders in the Travnik area. Roberts also warned about the inadequate education and training of police officers, adding that the appointment of police commanders was determined by the leading parties. He expressed regret over the prevented announced and planned return of Bosniak refugees to Donja Veceriska, Vitez municipality, on Saturday, June 13. However, Roberts could not deny that the return was prevented because of the murder of the Croat police officer Perica Bilic, which happened a day earlier. The IPTF spokesman expressed satisfaction with the return of Bosniak refugees to the villages of Grbavica and Ahmici in the Vitez municipality. (hina) rml 182007 MET jun 98