BOSNIA PEACE PROCESS TO CONTINUE WITH OR WITHOUT SERBS

ABOARD U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE ADRIATIC, Feb 19 (Hina) - The Bosnian Serbs have refused to cooperate in the further implementation of the Dayton peace accord in Bosnia, but the peace process would continue with or without them, IFOR officials said on Monday after the Bosnian Serbs failed to attend a meeting of the joint military commission on the US aircraft carrier "George Washington" in the Adriatic Sea. The meeting had been called by the commander in chief of the NATO-led peace Implementation Force (IFOR), Admiral Leighton Smith. The Bosnian Croat and Moslem sides were represented by Croatian Defence Council (HVO) Chief of Staff General Zivko Budimir and Bosnian Army Chief of Staff General Rasim Delic. The Bosnian Serb Republic has refused to comply with the Dayton peace accord and the agreement reached in Rome, and its leaders are trying to prevent the people of Bosnia from enjoying the benefits of peace, said an IFOR spokesman aboard the ship. Regardless of the Bosnian Serbs' behaviour, NATO would continue to implement the Dayton peace accord in Bosnia, with or without the Serbs, the spokesman said. (hina) lm jn 191733 MET feb 96