BRCKO TO BE UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION FOR 1 YEAR - WASHINGTO

WASHINGTO $ N POST WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Hina) - American arbitrator Roberts Owen has decided to place the northern Bosnian town of Brcko tentatively under international supervision at least for a year, the Washington Post reported on Thursday quoting US State Department sources. Such a decision, which must be considered by the full arbitration commission, actually means that taking a firm stand on this explosive territorial issue has been sidestepped, the newspaper says. The decision by Owen will be combined with an announcement of increased international police presence to ensure the safe return of refugees to the town, the newspaper adds. There are also plans to increase the number of unarmed police monitors from 20 to 100. The town on the right bank of the Sava river would be under the supervision of a deputy international High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. diplomat Owen met members of the arbitration commission, Cazim Sadikovic and Vitomir Popovic, in Washington on Wednesday to notify them of his decision which will be announced on Friday in Rome. (hina) jn mš 131646 MET feb 97