GELBARD: KOSOVO COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON REGION

( Editorial: --> 6225 ) MOSTAR, July 7 (Hina) - The tragic events in Kosovo could negatively affect the whole region, the special envoy of the United States President for the implementation of the peace agreements Robert Gelbard said in Mostar on Tuesday. The US is concerned with the effect the crisis in the southern Yugoslav province is having on neighbouring Albania and Macedonia, where Albanians make up 23 per cent of the population, Gelbard told a press conference held by international community representatives after the opening of Mostar's airport. Gelbard said the US and the Allies were discussing a six-month extension of the United Nations mission on the Macedonian-Yugoslav border. The key responsibility for resolving the Kosovo issue lies with the Yugoslav government which, Gelbard said, was both politically and economically punished because of Kosovo. However if the Kosovo Liberation Army leadership is not willing to partake in negotiations, similar measures will be introduced against them as well, he said. NATO has been considering various measures if necessary, but we hope we will not have to resort to force, Gelbard said. The international High Representative for Bosnia Carlos Westendorp on this occasion criticised Mostar Deputy Mayor Ivan Prskalo for a letter in which he declared the head of Westendorp's office in Mostar Martin Garrod persona non grata in the south Bosnian town. In his letter Prskalo, accused Garrod of not putting nearly as much effort in the return of Croat refugees as he did in the return of Bosniaks (Muslims) or Serbs. Garrod added he understood Prskalo's act as a mistake. The High Representative said he would no longer tolerate such mistakes. (hina) ha jn /mbr 071944 MET jul 98