OSCE CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTIONS DESPITE SERB THREATS

SARAJEVO, Aug 27 (Hina) - The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina continues preparations for municipal elections next month despite a decision by hardline Serb deputies of the dissolved Bosnian Serb Assembly to revoke their consent for holding elections. OSCE spokesman David Foley told a news conference in Sarajevo on Wednesday that the OSCE would go ahead with preparations for country-wide elections on September 13-14 but that it would closely follow the developments. Asked what the organisation would do if the hardline Serb nationalists based in Pale, southeast of Sarajevo, attempted to physically prevent elections from taking place on the territory under their control, Foley said that it was not the first case of a threat of the boycott of municipal elections. There have been hundreds of such statements, including in the most sensitive areas such as Mostar or Brcko, he added. Spokesman for the Office of the international High Representative Duncan Bullivant said that the office was aware of the threats from Pale that Serb police could attempt to seize by force radio and television buildings and transmitters now under the control of forces loyal to Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic. Bullivant stressed that such an attempt would not be tolerated. Spokesman for the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) John Blakely said that the commanders of the Bosnian Serb Army, the Moslem-led Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) had given their reassurances that they would not interfere in any political conflict. We expect them to abide by their commitments. Otherwise, SFOR will take all measures it will deem necessary and will not allow the situation to deteriorate, Blakely said. (hina) vm jn 271533 MET aug 97