WESTENDORP REQUESTS FAIR PROPERTY LAWS IN BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY

( Editorial: --> 1345 ) SARAJEVO, Sept 18 (Hina) - The international community's High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Carlos Westendorp, expects the Bosnian Serb parliament to adopt property laws similar to those in the Croat-Muslim Federation immediately upon the completion of the election process. This was stated in Sarajevo on Friday by Westendorp's spokesman Simon Haselock. In case the Bosnian Serb parliament fails to adopt laws enabling the return of refugees, the High Representative will use his powers and declare the laws himself, Haselock told reporters. In the past three days Westendorp has faced severe criticism from the Bosniak (Muslim) political leadership, and the Sarajevo media which supports it, for his decision to prolong the law on the repossession of flats by pre-war tenancy right holders. Federation Premier Edhem Bicakcic has accused Westendorp of overstepping his powers by adopting the decision. Mirza Hajric, foreign policy advisor to Bosnian Presidency chairman Alija Izetbegovic, asked the High Representative why he was insisting on problems in those areas where refugees were returning, and not in the Bosnian Serb entity. Four months ago the Office of the High Representative (OHR) requested the Bosnian Serb government to draw up and propose to its parliament bills enabling refugees to reclaim their property. The bills were included in the agenda of the Bosnian Serb parliament but were never discussed. It is believed that the international community did not insist on this too much so as not to jeopardise the chances of Premier Milorad Dodik and President Biljana Plavsic in the general elections. (hina) rml /mbr 181506 MET sep 98