UN & IPTF SUPPORT REFORM OF BOSNIA'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM & POLICE

( Editorial: --> 9028 ) MOSTAR, Sept 8 (Hina) - The UN special envoy for Bosnia- Herzegovina, Elizabeth Rehn, and the International Police Task Force (IPTF) Commissioner, Richard Monk, on Tuesday visited Mostar where they discussed security problems and the reform of the judicial system with local officials. Rehn and Monk met with Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Prefect Zeljko Obradovic, Deputy Prefect Fatima Leho, the Canton Interior Minister Valentin Coric and his deputy Sefkija Dziho. The Croat and Muslim representatives have reached agreement as regards the need for a reform of the judicial system in Mostar, Rehn said. The proposal received support from both the Croat-Muslim Federation and the Serb entity, Rehn said. The police forces in Bosnia need to be reformed as well, IPTF's Monk said. He announced special training for police officers who fight drug abuse and crime. Speaking about the security conditions ahead of the general elections, Monk said that there were areas which caused concern but declined to say more about it. Plans for the prevention of possible incidents during the elections have also been devised, he said. Rehn and Monk opposed the appointment of judges and police officers by politicians. The U.N. Mission in Bosnia has recently established a special department for assessing the work of judicial bodies, Rehn said announcing the arrival of 26 international judges who will assess the work of BH courts. The U.N. envoy also advocated the increase of the number of police women, which would contribute to lowering the domestic violence rate, which is not receiving sufficient public attention. (hina) rml 082119 MET sep 98