BOSNIAN PRESIDENT SUPPORTS DIRECTOR OF BOSNIAN SECRET AGENCY

( Editorial: --> 4485 ) SARAJEVO, Oct 1 (Hina) - Chairman of the Bosnian Presidency Alija Izetbegovic on Wednesday confirmed that he had been aware of charges against the Bosnian Agency for the Investigation of Documents (AID) made by three former members of the agency. The three, Edin Garaplija, Refika Murana and Haris Peze are currently serving long-term prison sentences in Zenica charged with the kidnapping and murder of Nedzad Herenda. Almost three weeks after the Sarajevo weekly "Slobodna Bosna" published a testimony by Garaplija who claimed that conflicts existed between the various security factors in Bosnia which were supervised by the Bosnian political leadership, TV B-H released a statement by Izetbegovic giving full support to the Agency's director Kemal Ademovic. Izetbegovic noted that in March he had received accusations made by the three former members of the agency. Sarajevo magazines state that Herenda was a member of the secret police known as "Seva". An article published by the Sarajevo weekly "Slobodna Bosna" published claims by Garaplija that Herenda's kidnapping had been ordered by AID director Ademovic in an effort to prove his predecessor Bakira Alispahic's connections to crimes committed by the Seva organisation. "The three detainees admit to the kidnapping and attempted murder however, they state they did this under orders issued by AID director Kemal Ademovic", said Izetbegovic. The Bosnian Presidency chairman stated that he had confronted Ademovic with these charges, but that Ademovic had categorically denied them and that the claims had been made to relieve the perpetrators of their crimes. Izetbegovic stated that he had been faced with two testimonies; one issued by men he did not know and who were in prison, while the other was made by Ademovic whom he "knew during the war as a courageous and honourable fighter". ."I decided to take Ademovic's word as being true as his statements were confirmed by the Courts of this state. Even if I had believed the detainees, this would not relieve them of their crime, as noone can order anyone else to commit a crime", said Izetbegovic. In his statement to the public, Izetbegovic recommended that the tree detainees place an appeal to the courts, if they had any new evidence to support their claims. Questioned about the legality of the activities of AID, Izetbegovic stated that within the framework of the federal Parliament there existed commissions for the defence of securtiy which are under the auspices of military and security services in the country and they were responsible for any investigation which may be undertaken ."I cannot say whether there will be any investigation held. I have never interfered in the activities of the judicial bodies even though I have often pointed out their slowness and inertness", said Izetbegovic. He added that back in February the leadership of his Party for Democratic Action (SDA) had stated that "noone was above the law", and that all government bodies were expected to conduct their activities strictly in keeping with the law. Izetbegovic concluded that he himself was doing everything in his power for the law to be respected and adhered to and he "expected everyone else to do the same". (Hina) sp 011131 MET oct 98