GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS SARAJEVO

SARAJEVO, Nov 26 (Hina) - German Defence Minister, Rudolf Scharping, on Thursday held talks in Sarajevo with members of Bosnia-Herzegovina's (BH) Presidency, and with the High Representative for the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, Carlos Westendorp. In his first official visit to BH after taking over his role as Defence Minister in Gerhard Schroeder's Government, Scharping told reporters that he called upon members of BH's Presidency to show more interest in the process of building lasting peace in their country, and to be aware of the responsibilities it entails. The German Minister remarked that a considerable improvement had been made in the implementation of the peace agreement, although he pointed out that extra effort and responsibility must be applied in the forthcoming period. He added that media has the role to inform, not spread hatred. During the day, Scharping visited German soldiers who are part of NATO's Stabilisation Force contingent in BH, and whose largest base is situated in the Sarajevo suburb of Rajlovac. (hina) ab/ha mm