TWO-DAY CONFERENCE TO BEGIN TUESDAY TO STEP UP DAYTON PROCESS

( Editorial: --> 6774 ) BONN, Dec 8 (Hina) - The Peace Implementation Council will hold a conference at Petersberg near Bonn on Tuesday and Wednesday to encourage speedier and more efficient implementation of the Dayton peace agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The conference will gather representatives of 51 countries and 21 international organisation who will deal with problems, delays and resistance to the implementation of the peace agreement and try to encourage creation of structures that will enable the independent functioning of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Croatian delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Mate Granic. A draft final document sets final and very short deadlines for the implementation of a number of elements of the peace agreement, particularly those enabling the minimal functioning of central government institutions. It is expected that the international community will demand expansion of the powers of its high representative to Bosnia- Herzegovina to enable speedier and more efficient implementation of the Dayton agreement. The Council was established in 1995 to oversee the implementation of the peace agreement. (hina) vm jn 081735 MET dec 97