US CONGRESSMEN ADVOCATE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S STAY IN BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 7908 ) SARAJEVO, May 31 (Hina) - Members of the US Congress in Sarajevo on Sunday advocated long-term presence of the international community in Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to ensure the full implementation of the Dayton Agreement, the establishment of appropriate structures of authority and the revival of the country's potential. Speaker of the Congress House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, said that great efforts had been invested into the stabilisation of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina so far, primarily thanks to American and other soldiers deployed in the country to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement. Gingrich, who is heading a congressional delegation to Sarajevo, Brcko and Tuzla, said on Sunday that all members of the delegation were unanimous in estimating that it was important that the United States remain actively engaged in efforts the international community is investing in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Head of democratic Congress representatives Richard Gephardt said it was doubtless that the efforts of the international community were yielding results and leading to success. The message I intend to relay to my colleagues and voters is that Bosnia-Herzegovina needs a long-term activity. The international community will definitely have to remain in the country for a long time and without a time limit, Gephardt said. He cited as the most important tasks in the upcoming period the accommodation of refugees and improving of the work of local police forces. (hina) lml 311952 MET may 98