OSCE CAUTIONS BOSNIAN SERB HARDLINERS OVER ELECTION CELEBRATIONS

( Editorial: --> 1428 ) SARAJEVO, Sept 18 (Hina) - Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina head Robert Barry on Friday cautioned hardline political parties amongst the Bosnian Serbs, stating that their current behaviour could result in serious repercussions. He called on them to stop celebrating election victories before the counting of ballot papers had ended. During a visit to the vote counting centre in Lukavica near Sarajevo, Barry told journalists that the OSCE had sent a warning to the Radical Party headed by Nikola Poplasen, to stop organising gatherings which threatened the OSCE and its staff. I hope that this will stop them as we have received disturbing reports that members of this party had broken into radio stations and broadcasted fiery statements, Barry said. He confirmed that he had met with US special envoy for the Balkans, Robert Gelbard, who had arrived in Sarajevo unannounced on Thursday. "He is here so that he can directly monitor the election process," is all that Barry had to say about Gelbard's mission. (Hina) sp jn /mbr 181843 MET sep 98