OSCE ACCUSES HDZ FOR PROBLEMS IN FORMING OF MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES

SARAJEVO, Feb 25 (Hina) - Head of the OSCE mission in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Robert Barry, said on Wednesday that an arbitration decision would have to be brought for 31 municipalities in Bosnia- Herzegovina so that last year's local election results could be implemented. Barry told a news conference in Sarajevo that two-thirds of problems in the establishment of new authorities in these municipalities had been caused by the conduct of representatives of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). This, however, did not mean that there were no problems on other sides, he added. Barry said the Croat side was also responsible for problems in the return of refugees and the reorganisation of police, as well as for local officials who were not prepared to implement the Dayton Agreement. Barry also commented on the speech made by President Franjo Tudjman at the fourth convention of the HDZ, saying that Tudjman had not made the situation easier at all. According to Barry, Tudjman's speech in effect represented some of the election manoeuvres, based on the fact that Tudjman believed that the common people wanted to be separated according to their nationality. My impression is completely different, and I especially feel that Croats in central Bosnia, with whom I had a chance to speak, do not want that, and want to live with others, Barry said. He stressed that he fully supported the stance of the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kresimir Zubak, that the safety of Croats in Bosnia would be best protected by the complete implementation of the Dayton Agreement. Barry warned that the media in parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina controlled by Croats also caused concern in the international community. (hina) lm mm 251955 MET feb 98