ELECTIONS TO BE HELD BETTER NOW THAN NEVER - BILDT

SARAJEVO, June 8 (Hina) - International Peace Coordinator Carl Bildt believes that elections in Bosnia should be held even if all necessary conditions for free and democratic elections were not fulfilled in time, Bildt's Office spokesman Colum Murphy said in Sarajevo on Saturday, stressing that a postponement of elections would mean the postponement of the establishment of joint institutions of the Bosnian state, and that only the elections could stop processes which led to the breakdown of the country. #L# The establishment of joint state bodies, presidency, ministerial council and house of representatives was the only way in which sides in Bosnia would take responsibility for the future of the country, Murphy said. He said that the international community was faced with an impossible choice in that there were two schools of thought. One believed that a postponement would hinder the performance of Bosnia as a whole country, the other believed that a postponement was necessary to create all the conditions for the elections, Murphy said. Danger lay in the possibility that the elections would strengthen the position of nationalists who were in power at the moment, Murphy said. Carl Bildt held that it was better to hold the elections now than never, Murphy said. He confirmed that Bildt mulled the suggestion to hold elections on the level of state, entities and cantons in September and that municipal elections take place in 1997. Murphy warned that breaking up of the country was no solution for the future and would only lead to a new war. (hina) lm 081322 MET jun 96