ATTEMPT TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON MOSTAR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL FAILS ( Editorial: --> 0359 )

( Editorial: --> 0359 ) MOSTAR, Nov 12 (Hina) - An attempt at signing an agreement on the establishment of six municipal councils in Mostar failed on Wednesday. According to David Foley, head of the Mostar regional office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Martin Garrod, head of the Mostar regional office of the international High Representatives for Bosnia-Herzegovina, officials of the Bosnian Croatian Democratic Union Party (HDZ) did not want to sign the agreement. The agreement was signed by Foley and Garrod, and Zijad Hadziomerovic on behalf of the Coalition for an Integral and Democratic BH, which is led by the Party of Democratic Action. The draft of the agreement, which includes three articles, has been issued to reporters. It envisages that by 13 November at the latest, all six Mostar municipalities are to be established, that heads and presidents of the Council of the Town's Municipalities be from the leading political party or the Coalition, and that municipal council deputy heads and vice presidents be from the second leading political party or coalition, and from the other people, as stipulated by the Transitional Statute for Mostar. The agreement also envisages that the heads, presidents and vice presidents of the town's municipalities be elected at the municipal councils' founding sessions, in line with the Transitional Statute. Deputy heads should be elected by 15 December at the latest. Garrod and Foley were disappointed with the failed attempt at reaching an agreement. This is a step backwards, Garrod said and threatened with "serious consequences" on account of the Bosnian HDZ's refusal to sign the agreement. Foley accused the Bosnian HDZ of violation of regulations and rules of the OSCE Provisional Election Commission referring to the establishment of municipal councils. He would suggest that the Commission appoint one elected member of every municipal council who would call founding sessions for 18 November. Failure in the enforcement of election results would be punished, Foley said. The sub-commission for election appeals could recall candidates who obstruct the enforcement of election results and annul their mandates, he added. Obstruction was obvious and was a deeply undemocratic act, Foley said. Asked by reporters whether the election for the offices of municipal council vice president and municipal deputy head, which the Bosniak side demands and the Croat side opposes, was in line with the Federal Constitution and the Transitional Statute for Mostar, both Garrod and Foley answered in the negative. (hina) ha jn 122253 MET nov 97