IFOR TO ASSIST IN CONDUCT OF BOSNIA ELECTIONS

SARAJEVO, June 14 (Hina) - The NATO-led peace Implemetation Force (IFOR) still has not received an official request from the European Union administration of Mostar to help organize elections in the city but IFOR is ready to provide assistance upon request, IFOR spokesman Max Marriner said in Sarajevo on Friday. Marriner said that IFOR troops could ensure security at all polling stations and prevent any incidents during the vote. The command of the international division "Southwest" is in permanent contact with the EU administration in Mostar and we are ready to meet requests set before us, the spokesman said. IFOR was also awaiting an official request from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission for assistance in the conduct of the general elections. Marriner announced that IFOR and OSCE would set up a joint election committee. IFOR would provide all logistics and communications suppor and the first step in this regard would be to establish inter-entity telephone service, he added. (hina) vm mm 141422 MET jun 96