STEINER SAYS ELECTIONS WILL GO FINE

SARAJEVO/JAHORINA, 3 September (Hina) - All the doubts have been dispelled and all the arrangements have been made so that on the elections day, 14 September, B-H would be the safest place on Earth, said Deputy Representative for B-H Michael Steiner after today's meeting with members of the governments of the two entities and the B-H Republic on Mount Jahorina, near Sarajevo. The meeting was attended by the head of the OSCE mission for B-H Robert Frowick and Deputy Commander IFOR, Gen. Jean Heinrich. According to Mr. Steiner, all the parties have agreed to ensure freedom of movement for all voters who decide to cast their ballot in a different entity. The voters should be able to cross the demarcation line at any point. However, for security reasons IFOR will suggest road routes that would be monitored by NATO troops, international police and local police forces. Such routes would connect all the B-H municipalities. "We expect that on that day the line between different ethnic groups will be crossed by 30,000-200,000 people," said Steiner, adding that voters will not be allowed to carry any arms, flags or posters. Carl Bildt's deputy also stated that in spite of comprehensive security measures that had been agreed with the interested parties, incidents could not be ruled out. However, he warned that local authorities were most responsible for security on the ground. Steiner added that elections appellate subcommittee would closely watch the behaviour of local authorities on the elections day and eliminate all the candidates who violate election rules, even if they get elected. Today's meeting at Jahorina Mt endorsed measures that are meant to facilitate constitution of new authorities. Steiner explained that the package would include structural and business legislature that is being drafted by an international group of experts. The measures will significantly shorter the transition period and enable B-H to establish economic cooperation with other countries. According to Steiner, a new presidency will start working a few days after the elections. However, constitution of the new government will take a little longer. Members of the three governments agreed that next elections in B-H should be held in 1998. They promised to provide the relevant legislature as soon as possible. Today Micheal Steiner sharply criticized the most recent cases of ethnic cleansing in B-H, stressing that areas where such incidents are recorded would be subjected to economic sanctions and not given financial aid. mr (Hina) 032135 MET sep 96