SOLANA: AFTER ELECTIONS SPEEDIER RETURN OF REFUGEES TO B-H

( Editorial: --> 9712 ) SARAJEVO, Sept 11 (Hina) - NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana on Friday expressed hope that the forthcoming elections in Bosnia- Herzegovina will result in the election to authority of those politicians who will stop looking back to the past and turn to the future. Solana, who arrived in Sarajevo on Thursday together with NATO Commander for Europe, General Wesley Clark, told reporters in Sarajevo that he expected all government bodies, especially joint institutions, to function more efficiently after the elections. The most pressing issue is a speedier return of refugees, because without this there will be no lasting reconciliation in the country, Solana said. He estimated that preparations for the coming elections had been conducted successfully and that SFOR had taken the necessary measures for the elections to be conducted in peace and security. Gen. Clark said that the command of stabilisation forces in B-H had specified in which parts of the country there existed tensions or problems with local officials and that all steps would be taken so that citizens could go to the polling booths in the next two days, in peace and security. The air around this year's elections is somewhat different than has been previously experienced. The majority of the people are aware that peace has finally come and that it will remain that way, Clark said. Earlier this morning Solana and Clark visited members of a special SFOR unit in charge of preventing any massive unrest. Gen. Clark confirmed that an agreement was reached during his recent visit to Slovenia by which a troop of Slovene soldiers would join SFOR. Their deportment could be expected in the next month or so, he said. On Friday, Solana met with B-H Presidency members. Speaking at a press conference he noted with a touch of irony that the meeting was conducted with high emotions as it was more than likely that the next meeting would not be attended by some members. (Hina) jn sp/rml 111453 MET sep 98