STEINER ON BH SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS

SIROKI BRIJEG, August 20 (Hina) - Deputy International Community High Commissioner for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Michael Steiner, on Tuesday presided over a meeting of the joint civil commission for sector south held in Siroki Brijeg, southern Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he said that, in relation to Bosnian elections set for 14 September 1996, he was "very worried because of the misuse of form P-2". Form P-2 enabled voters to choose where they would vote, Steiner said, pointing out that he was particularly worried about the municipal level. It was necessary to differentiate between central level and municipal level elections, Steiner said, adding that he believed this would not endanger the holding of elections. Asked to what misuse and where he was referring, Steiner said "mainly the area of republika srpska, where local authorities regulated the giving of humanitarian aid depending on the decision where voters wanted to vote". "There are many Serbs who don't want to return to their former residence in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina", Steiner said, and added "we can't force them to do it". He pointed out however, that this could influence the validity of elections in certain municipalities. Steiner warned that the temporary electoral commission must not be underestimated. "It's a powerful body ready to implement sanctions against those who won't be fulfilling their obligations", he said. Steiner also said that the international community would be very busy in Bosnia-Herzegovina for several years after the September elections. On election day, the NATO-led Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) would not provide special escort to voters crossing from one entity to another, because it was a responsibility of local authorities and police, said Steiner, adding that it had been agreed in principle for people to move freely on election day. Attending today's meeting were mayors of the municipalities of Stolac, Capljina, Konjic, Siroki Brijeg, Mostar, Kalinovik, Ljubinje, Trebinje, Nevesinje, Bileca and Gacko. Besides the September elections, the meeting discussed human rights, economical reconstruction and the media, Steiner said, adding that human rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina were regulated by law and Constitution according to the highest standards, as nowhere in the world, but this was not being effected in practice. "The regulations on human rights are equally binding as regulations on military issues", Steiner pointed out. He also stressed that the temporary electoral commission passed a law binding both the central authority of Bosnia and the authorities of the two entities to support an independent TV network to be established before the impending elections. Steiner admitted that there existed a progress in the Bosnian peace process, but it was far from the set goals. The main problem was the return of refugees and displaced persons, he concluded. (hina) ha 202126 MET aug 96