BOSNIAN PARTIES REACH AGREEMENT ON FREEDOM OF MEDIA

SARAJEVO, Jan 25 (Hina) - Government representatives of the Federation and Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday reached an agreement in principle with Bosnian Serb officials on the freedom of the media and on giving journalists from both sides unimpeded access to all parts of the country. Michael Steiner, the chief deputy of High Representative Carl Bildt, told reporters after the meeting that Bosnian Moslem and Croat officials agreed with Bosnian Serb representatives to ensure the freedom of movement and safety to journalists. The two sides also agreed that all press should be freely distributed, calling on local media to adapt their language to peacetime circumstances. It was also agreed that a special working group would be set up under the chairmanship of Czech journalist Jan Urban. The group would comprise one reporter each from the Republic, the Federation and the Serb entity. Steiner said that the meeting also focused on the return of refugees to their homes, the restoration of telecommunications, the organization of elections and the establishment of an international police force. The number of international police in Serb-held districts of Sarajevo would increase during a transitional period until the end of March, Stainer said, adding that Serb police must withdraw from those parts of the city before the expiry of a 90-day period since the signing of the peace agreement. (hina) vm jn 252257 MET jan 96