BOSNIAN PARLIAMENT FAILS TO ACCEPT NEW STATE FLAG

( Editorial: --> 9188 ) SARAJEVO, 4 Feb (Hina) - The Bosnian Parliament House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected all three proposals for a new state flag, given by an independent expert commission appointed by the Office of the High Representative for implementing the Dayton peace agreement. The flags had a light blue background with yellow lines, a triangle and stars marking the contours of the country. The Office of the High Representative Carlos Westendorp had decided that the new flag should be adopted at the beginning of February so that it could represent the country at the next Winter Olympic Games in Nagano. Westendorp is expected to again use the powers he was given at the meeting of the Council for Implementation of the Dayton Agreement, held in Bonn in December last year, and declare the new Bosnian flag. Westendorp has already proclaimed the Citizenship Law and determined the new design of Bosnian notes. (hina) mm rm 041108 MET feb 98