NEW MOSTAR EU ADMINISTRATOR TAKES UP OFFICE AFTER APRIL 20

MOSTAR, March 29 (Hina) - EU Administrator for Mostar Hans Koschnick's mandate officially ends on March 31. The new administrator, Ricardo Peres Casado, should take up office after April 20, Koschnick's deputy Klaus Metscher said at Friday's press conference. According to the Memorandum on Understanding, through which EU acts in Mostar, the local government must consent to the appointment of the new administrator by April 20. Until his arrival, his duties will be performed by Metscher, who also said that the EU had still not extended the mandate of its administration in Mostar, due to expire on July 24. Speaking of the Mostar elections in the end of May, Metscher expressed doubt that they would be carried out in the set time- limit, and said it was now necessary to suggest the electoral committee candidates, which was supposed to be done by March 15. (hina) ha jn 291457 MET mar 96