AMERICAN SACKED FROM SFOR DUE TO HIS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

SARAJEVO, June 6 (Hina) - An American citizen who worked as a civilian for the NATO-led Stabilisation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, was dismissed and sent back to the United States due to his inappropriate behaviour, a spokesman for the SFOR said in Sarajevo on Friday. The decision on his dismissal was made late last night following an investigation and Gordon Bardos was no longer employed with SFOR, the spokesman, Tony White, said. White did not say precisely what the investigation determined to be the indecent behaviour of the American, but he recalled that the probe had been instigated following articles in the Sarajevo media which blamed Bardos for his biased conduct and revealed nationalist Serb sympathies. This man showed regrettable judgements, and behaved in the professionally impermissible manner, White told reporters. The Sarajevo daily 'Oslobodjenje published two articles and pictures this week depicting the uniformed Bardos kissing a Bosnian Serb flag and raising his three fingers in a traditional nationalist Serb salute. The Sarajevo daily said that Bardos, who was hired in February 1996 in Bosnia, was seen in some photos with the first NATO commander in this country, Leighton Smith. The daily also conveyed a report written by Bardos for the OSCE mission, where the American criticised the media usage of terms "aggression against Bosnia," "Serb aggressors, occupiers and Chetniks." It also cited Bardos as writing the word 'Izi' for surname of Alija Izetbegovic in his reports to international senior officials in Bosnia. The last assignment of Bardos in Bosnia was a deputy director for voters registration within the OSCE mission, and he was posted there as part of regular help the U.S. military force offered to civilian organisations. (hina) jn mš 061510 MET jun 97