OSCE MISSION IN BOSNIA REJECTS HDZ BIH AND CROATIAN ACCUSATIONS

( Editorial: --> 8751 ) SARAJEVO, Sept 7 (Hina) - The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina has rejected accusations that decisions by its Electoral Appeals Sub- Commission (EASC) were influencing the results of the country's forthcoming nationwide elections. On Monday the OSCE mission headquarters in Sarajevo released a statement to Hina, which said it rejected all accusation of electoral engineering made by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and the leadership of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia- Herzegovina (HDZ BiH). The OSCE mission recalled that during the election campaign the HDZ BiH had been constantly warned of repeated violations of election rules and regulations. These rules are in place to ensure fair and free elections and are well known to the HDZ and the Government of the Republic of Croatia. As well it was clear the EASC which has the authority to remove candidates from the submitted lists... will apply that rule, the statement said. The OSCE recalled that during talks up to now with the HDZ BiH and the Croatian leadership, it had especially been sought that Croatian Radio Television (HRT) guarantee equal coverage of the electoral process, particularly because of not respecting those rules in the past. It also clearly warned that it would take seriously any attempt at intimidation, especially by armed soldiers. The OSCE mission emphasised that the EASC's were final and binding and that they could not be up for negotiation. It said that statements by the Croatian Government and the HDZ BiH leadership, which brought into question its participation in the elections as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia, is a reason for serious concern for the international community and especially the OSCE. The OSCE mission at the end of its statement stated that the elections would continue to be held as planned and the OSCE has total confidence in the capability of voters to deliver their necessary decisions at voting places. (hina) mbr /jfk 072201 MET sep 98