WESTENDORP ADOPTS TWO LAWS FOR HERZEGOVINA-NERETVA CANTON

( Editorial: --> 1733 ) MOSTAR, Aug 4 (Hina) - High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina Carlos Westendorp has decided to adopt a law on courts in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and a law on the court of Mostar's central city zone, the High Representative's regional office in Mostar said on Tuesday. The laws are in force since yesterday. The law on courts recognises the right of every municipality in the canton, including Mostar's six municipalities, to have a court. The ethnic structure of judges is to reflect the ethnic structure of a municipality in line with the 1991 Census. The ethnic structure of judges in Mostar's central zone will reflect the national structure of the whole city and be in line with the 1991 Census. This decision is Westendorp's response to the failure of the cantonal authorities to implement his decision on the establishment of municipal courts of 6 May, 1998. The laws are to be implemented until 15 November, 1998 at the latest. Westendorp has also stressed the need for new positions to be filled by people from the whole of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the statement said. (hina) rml 041613 MET aug 98