WESTENDORP PROCLAIMS BOSNIAN CITIZENSHIP LAW

( Editorial: --> 8909 ) SARAJEVO, Dec 16 (Hina) - International High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina Carlos Westendorp on Tuesday used for the first time the powers granted to him at a recent meeting in Bonn to proclaim a citizenship law, although the country's parliament had not adopted it. His office said in a statement that the law would take effect on January 1 next year and that the decision was based on the High Representative's powers in conformity with annexe 10 of the Dayton peace agreement. On Tuesday evening Westendorp sent a letter to the three members of the Bosnian collective presidency, Alija Izetbegovic, Kresimir Zubak and Momcilo Krajisnik, to inform them of his decision. Westendorp wrote that he had received with regret the news of the Bosnian Parliament failing to approve the citizenship law, although it was part of an agreement reached at the meeting of the Peace Implementation Council in Bonn. In accordance with my authority under the Dayton agreement and article 11 of the document from Bonn, I do hereby decide that the Law on Citizenship of Bosnia-Herzegovina shall enter into force by 1 January, 1998 on an interim basis, until the parliamentary assembly adopts this law in due form, without amendments and no conditions attached, the letter said. The High Representative also demanded that the laws on the Council of Ministers and travel documents, which had been approved by the upper house of Parliament earlier today, be immediately published in the Official Gazette. Westendorp invited members of the Presidency and the Council of Ministers to a meeting in his office on December 19 to agree on further necessary steps to ensure implementation of all three laws without delay. The Spanish diplomat also demanded that Parliament meet another commitment from Bonn -- to pass a declaration confirming the possibility of signing bilateral agreements on dual citizenship in line with the Bosnian Constitution and that the Presidency take a stand on this issue at its next session. After the meetings in Sintra, Portugal, and Bonn, the peace process has entered the crucial stage. I am determined to fully use the powers granted to me under the Dayton agreement and the conclusions from Bonn to ensure their full and efficient implementation, Westendorp said in concluding his letter. (hina) vm 162305 MET dec 97