AUTHORITY TAKEOVER CANNOT BE DELAYED, STEINER SAYS

SARAJEVO, Feb 15 (Hina) - The Office of the European Union High Representative for the implementation of the peace plan in Bosnia- Herzegovina proposed an integral plan of the authority transfer for the parts of Sarajevo which should be handed over to the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Deputy to the EU High Representative, Michael Steiner today confirmed that the federal police force would take over full control of the Serb-held suburbs on March 20. #L# Until March 20, IFOR, the United Nations and Carl Bildt would mediate the talks between the federal police and local Serb authorities. The federal police force would function under the control of international police forces and in line with international regulations. The police forces in Sarajevo would reflect the national composition from the 1990 Census, and the Serb police professionals, who were not responsible for war crimes, would be able to join them. Asked whether some Serb policemen had expressed wish to join the federal police force, Steiner answered affirmatively. Steiner also presented basic proposals for the establishment of civil authorities in the Sarajevo area: the Serb representatives would be able to participate in city and municipal bodies of authority in accordance with the results of the 1990 elections, again on the condition that they were not war crimes suspects. Nobody would be forced out of a flat or house in which they were presently accommodated until they were provided with adequate accommodation, Steiner added. 'The transfer of authority cannot be slowed down', Steiner said, adding that the issue would not be discussed any more with the Serb authorities in Pale, since 'this was not the time for negotiations'. All other issues would be discussed with local Serb representatives from Sarajevo suburbs, he added. (hina) rm jn 151515 MET feb 96