DAYTON AGREEMENT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED IN FULL- GELBARD

( Editorial: --> 7360 ) SARAJEVO, Sept 1 (Hina) - The United States expects all sides, signatories to the Dayton Agreement, to implement their commitments in full, special US President's envoy Robert Gelbard said in Sarajevo on Tuesday. It is crucial that every side fulfils their commitments from Dayton. Everybody must be aware that no revisions of the agreement will be made and nobody must consider the division of Bosnia- Herzegovina. Also, nobody should doubt the United States' will for the Dayton Agreement to be fully implemented, Gelbard said after a meeting with the president of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia- Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), Ante Jelavic, on Tuesday. The visit of US State Secretary Madeleine Albright to Bosnia- Herzegovina was clear evidence of the US' intentions in the fulfilment of all stipulations, Gelbard said. He added that his government wished a closer cooperation with Jelavic and the whole Croat community in the country. This especially pertains to the return of all refugees to their homes. Clear evidence exists that serious efforts are being made to that aim, Gelbard stressed. he confirmed that the main subject of his talks with Jelavic had been this month's elections. Although not wishing to speak in particulars, Gelbard said that the US, as well as the whole international community, were gravely concerned with the involvement of the army in the election campaign. This is a serious violation of all laws, as Jelavic had confirmed himself, agreeing that this be controlled and prevented in every way, Gelbard said. The establishment of complete rule of law in the country is a crucial issue for Bosnia-Herzegovina, he stressed. Jelavic said he agreed with the idea of depoliticising the military, and had requested that he be dismissed from duty as defence minister. However, he said, the SDA (Social Democratic Action) did not accept his request. "I can say with certainty that there are no organised gatherings of Bosnian Federation soldiers at election rallies," Jelavic said. He stressed that the HDZ did not need that due to the party's strength. Asked to comment on the dismissal of General Stanko Sopta from duties as commander of the First Corps of the Bosnian Federation armed forces, Jelavic said he believed Sopta was an outstanding officer with significant merits for his work during the war and during the establishment of the federal army. Croat member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, Kresimir Zubak, is not authorised to reach the decision he made, Jelavic said. "I would like to call on the Croat people and HDZ voters to be absolutely dignified and to refuse to be provoked by such actions," Jelavic said. Spokesman for the Stabilisation Force (SFOR), Richard Saint-Louis, confirmed Sopta's dismissal as requested by NATO commander in Bosnia-Herzegovina, General Eric Shiseki. He refused to speak in more detail about Shiseki's request, arguing this was an issue regarding exclusively local authorities and SFOR. The request was sent to the appropriate member of the Bosnia- Herzegovina Presidency, within SFOR's mandate to react to cases of violation of the Dayton Agreement, and within the mandate of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure a free and fair election, Saint-Louis said. (hina) lml 011412 MET sep 98