U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION ON BOSNIA

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Hina) - The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina in which it called for the comprehensive implementation of the peace agreement, including the creation of conditions for the return of all refugees and displaced persons and the extradition of all war crimes suspects. The assembly stressed the responsibility of the parties for the prompt establishment and functioning of all new joint institutions and the creation of necessary conditions for holding free and fair democratic local elections. The parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina were urged to implement the Dayton peace agreement fully, comprehensively and consistently, while Croatia and Yugoslavia were called upon to continue working towards a peaceful, reintegrated and stable Bosnia-Herzegovina. Expressing concern about continued obstacles put before the refugees and displaced people who want to return to their homes, the assembly demanded that all parties ensure conditions to facilitate the return. It strongly condemned all attempts at discouraging the return, particularly the destruction of houses. All parties to the Dayton peace agreement were called upon to meet their commitments to the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague, including the extradition of persons indicted by the tribunal. The resolution also called for full cooperation of the parties in investigations into war crimes. The assembly also called on all parties to be fully cooperative in the Brcko arbitration and to accept a decision reached in that process. (hina) vm jn 181207 MET dec 96