BOSNIAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD BEFORE YEAR'S END - OSCE

SARAJEVO, Sept 10 (Hina) - The head of the OSCE mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Robert Frowick, said in Sarajevo on Tuesday that municipal elections would be held before the end of the year and that this was supported by the entire international community. Speaking at the opening of an international press centre for covering general elections, Frowick said that some administrative obstacles should be removed before the municipal elections. He said that Bosnian Prime Minister Hasan Muratovic, Federation President Kresimir Zubak and Bosnian Serb leader Biljana Plavsic had already given him their consent to extend the OSCE mandate in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Frowick said that he hoped that the September 14 general elections would encourage the peace process in the country, adding that they would be a crucial event. The US diplomat said that, regardless of all remarks, the citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina should be given an opportunity to say what they wanted. Frowick warned that the Serb entity could not count on state sovereigny or on seceding from Bosnia-Herzegovina. At this moment there are all guarantees on their part that they will comply with the provisions of the Dayton peace agreement and the Bosnian Constitution, he said. The OSCE mission' director general for the conduct of the elections, Jeff Fischer, said that first election results for the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina could be expected on September 16. Ballots would be counted at 140 places under the full supervision of international observers, political parties and nongovernmental organizations, Fischer said, adding that this should be a sufficient guarantee that there would be no irregularities. Official election results are expected to be announced on September 25. (hina) vm 101823 MET sep 96