INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP PROPOSES COMPROMISE FOR BRCKO

( Editorial: --> 0825 ) SARAJEVO, Feb 10 (Hina) - The International Crisis Group (ICG) on Tuesday proposed a compromise solution to the organisation of Brcko, the contested northern Bosnian town whose status is currently being discussed before an Arbitral Tribunal in Vienna. In a report released in Sarajevo on Tuesday, the ICG proposed that the whole of the pre-war municipality of Brcko, currently divided between the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb republic, be put under the joint authority of the two entities. The new Brcko municipal council would have wider powers which would prevent the direct influence of entity governments. The Brcko municipality would have autonomy in the exercise of the cultural, educational and religious rights of its citizens. The international supervisor's mandate would be extended for another two years, while the whole municipality would be demilitarised, except for NATO forces. The ICG, a non-government organisation formed in 1995, also proposes greater powers be given to the International Police Task Force (IPTF). (Hina) mm mb 102106 MET feb 98