BRCKO SUPERVISOR LEAVES FOR TREATMENT IN US

( Editorial: --> 6780 ) SARAJEVO, March 3 (Hina) - The international supervisor for Brcko Robert Farrand will not be able to perform his duties for some time due to health problems, spokesman for the Office of the High Representative for the implementation of the Dayton agreement, Rida Attarashany, told reporters in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Farrand had to leave urgently for the United States for medical treatment and would stay there for at least two months, Attarashany said. High Representative Carlos Westendorp, who left today to visit Brcko, decided that during Farrand's absence his deputy Liam McLoud would take over his duties. Farrand's departure happened at a time when the arbitration court has to make a decision on the future status of Brcko, a northern Bosnian town linking the eastern and western parts of the Bosnian Serb entity. However, the town should also be a link between the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and central European river routes, which is why the Federation is interested in Brcko becoming part of its territory. The decision by the arbitration court on the status of Brcko is expected this month, which is causing added tension among the local population. (hina) mm rm 031343 MET mar 98