U.S. SAYS BOSNIA ELECTIONS TO GO AHEAD DESPITE CROAT BOYCOTT

BOYCOTT $ WASHINGTON, Sept 11 (Hina) - The United States said on Thursday that local elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina would be held this weekend as planned despite a decision by Bosnian Croats not to take part in them. That will not affect the validity of the election, which is going ahead, US State Department spokesman James Foley said in Washington. Foley expressed dissatisfaction of the US administration at Croatia's failure to make efforts to change the view of Bosnian Croats. The United States is deeply concerned and seriously disappointed in the inaction of the Croatian government thus far, Foley said, adding that the US would hold Croatia responsible for the non-participation of Bosnian Croats in the polls. They will continue to pay a price, he said, recalling that international financial institutions had delayed loans to Croatia at the US request several months ago. (hina) vm 112212 MET sep 97