SARAJEVO, Jun 3 (Hina - by Ranko Mavrak, Sarajevo) - The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will try to foster significant democratic changes in the next period to create an environment in which at least some
of the conditions necessary to organise free elections would be present, a Sarajevo press conference heard on Monday.
SARAJEVO, Jun 3 (Hina - by Ranko Mavrak, Sarajevo) - The
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will try
to foster significant democratic changes in the next period to
create an environment in which at least some of the conditions
necessary to organise free elections would be present, a Sarajevo
press conference heard on Monday. #L#
Last week, OSCE elaborated a "Democratisation Strategy" which
set 12 goals to be reached before the elections in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, OSCE mission leader Robert Frowick said.
The first goal is to create a politically neutral environment
which would water down the absolute power of the three natinal
parties on a territory that has had more than its share of
authoritarian political history, the OSCE document reads, in part.
So far, no progress has been made toward that goal except in
Sarajevo, owing to a profusion of media, which express different
political opinions.
According to OSCE human right monitors, some rudimentary
progress has been noted in Banja Luka, especially if we compare
Banja Luka to the atmosphere prevailing at Pale.
On the other hand, the situation in Mostar is "characterised
by a political environment which is often complemented by violence,
while efforts to reestablish dialogue give practically no results,"
the document said.
"In western Mostar, violence-prone elements are widely
represented in the leading HDZ party," the document said.
The second most important goal, according to the
"Democratisation Strategy," is to ensure the absolute secrecy of
the ballot, so that all may feel free to vote as they wish without
fear.
The third goal is to ensure the freedom of expression and the
freedom of the media. The current situation in this respect is
depicted in dismal terms, with Sarajevo as the only exception.
As for the freedom of association, the biggest obstacle is
still the impossiblity of crossing "ethnic separation lines." In
some parts of the country - such as Mostar, Bihac and the entire
Serb entity - Opposition parties fear repression if they step up
their political activities.
Despite IFOR's efforts, the freedom of movement (the fifth
goal) leaves to be desired.
The "Strategy" gives no suggestions as to what is to be done
with war criminals except for preventing them from being elected to
important posts. Frowick is of the opinion that Karadzic and Mladic
should be delivered to the Interntional War Crimes Tribunal.
This issue, however, remains still unsolved after the Geneva
talks. It is doubtful whether any change on the ground may
realistically be expected while these two continue to pull all the
threads.
(hina) mm as
031932 MET jun 96