SERB POLICE TO REMAIN IN SARAJEVO SUBURBS BY MARCH 19, IFOR SAYS

SARAJEVO, Feb 4 (Hina) - Since 06:00 am Sunday NATO-led Implementation Force has enhanced its presence in (formerly Serb- held) Sarajevo suburbs which should be retaken by the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the IFOR headquarters said in Sarajevo today. The same source said this was one of measures agreed upon at last night's meeting between NATO commanders, the international mediators' High Representative Carl Bildt and Bosnia-Herzegovina's senior officials. The meeting was dedicated to resolution of the problem caused by Bildt's decision to let Serb police remain in the suburbs concerned until March 19. #L# After severe criticism of such decision by Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic and Premier Hasan Muratovic, who asked that Serb policemen would be immediately replaced by international police force, the IFOR commanders, Admiral Leighton Smith and General Michael Walker, and Bildt proposed a compromise late last night. A statement, issued after the closed meeting, said that the army and police of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina would enter the suburbs concerned on March 20, when IFOR disarmed all other armed gangs or individuals or arrested them. Until March 20, the international police force, in cooperation with IFOR and the office of Bildt, will have done preparations for the transfer of authorities, whereas the current Serb structures of authorities must not act in a manner inconsistent with the constitution of Bosnian Federal Constitution, according to the statement. The NATO commanders and Bildt decided that the international police force should assume the leading role in solving all police and legal issues until the expiry of the coming 45-day transitional period, the same source said. (hina) mms 041459 MET feb 96