SARAJEVO, 18 Aug (Hina) - The Bosnian Serb authorities refused to broadcast a statement by Deputy High Representative in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Gerd Wagner, in which he wanted to inform the Bosnian public about the causes of stalled
adoption of laws on citizenship and passports.
SARAJEVO, 18 Aug (Hina) - The Bosnian Serb authorities refused to
broadcast a statement by Deputy High Representative in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Gerd Wagner, in which he wanted to inform the Bosnian
public about the causes of stalled adoption of laws on citizenship
and passports. #L#
Simon Haselock, spokesman for Westendorp's office told
reporters in Sarajevo Monday that the director of the Bosnian Serb
television in Pale, Miroslav Toholj, had asked that 4,000 German
marks be paid for the broadcasting of Wagner's statement, explaining
that the company he is heading 'operates without state control and
in line with market principles.'
Pale television has no obligations towards the international
community which is responsible for the bad image of Bosnian Serb
radio and television, Toholj said in his letter to the Office of the
High Representative.
This is the second time that they are depriving us of the
right to answer, Haselock said, stressing that Pale media continued
to act contrary to all professional standards.
In his statement, broadcast on Saturday by Sarajevo
television, Wagner said that the adoption of laws on citizenship and
passports was being obstructed by the Bosnian Serb side, which was
refusing to accept a compromise, just like Pale authorities were
responsible for preventing the opening of Banja Luka airport.
Westendorp's deputy also said that the current crisis in the
Serb entity could be solved only with new parliamentary elections,
which nobody who wants a democratic solution should be afraid of.
(hina) rm jn
181642 MET aug 97