ROUND TABLE ON DEMOCRACY IN BOSNIA CLOSES

( Editorial: --> 7558 ) TRAVNIK, Oct 11 (Hina) - The September general election in Bosnia showed a certain progress in democracy in Bosnian society, but the national concept is still dominant and prevents a genuine civil democracy, the participants in a round table on Bosnian democracy said in Travnik on Sunday. The first step towards achieving civil democracy is a new electoral law, the participants in "Democratisation and Elections in Bosnia- Herzegovina" assessed in a joint statement. The round table was held between October 9 and 11, and was organised by the Sarajevo-based Krug 99 Association of Independent Intellectuals, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission to BH, and the Travnik-based Centre for Citizens' Cooperation. It gathered some 40 intellectuals, members of several associations, and non-government organisations from all over Bosnia. The participants advocated the passing of a new electoral law which, in line with international norms and standards, should give all citizens, regardless of national belonging, both passive and active rights to vote throughout BH. To step up democratisation it is necessary to realise an integral, law-regulated democratic and plural BH media space, the participants concluded. The joint statement gives credit to international organisations, in particular to OSCE's mission, for stimulating democratisation in Bosnia, despite certain actions which caused counterproductive measures. (hina) ha 111650 MET oct 98