HOLBROOKE UNDERSCORES U.S. SUPPORT TO KOSCHNICK

SARAJEVO, Feb 11 (Hina) - The newest mediating mission took by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke on Sunday has been unexpectedly elongated. After meeting Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic and Federation Vice President Ejup Ganic Holbrooke said that the Bosnian government officials had affirmed their readiness to fully implement the peace agreement. "We absolutely reaffirmed full compliance with Dayton... We furthermore reaffirmed America's support for Mayor (Hans) Koschnick's proposals in regard to Mostar," he told reporters. The U.S. diplomat announced he would be leaving for Belgrade Sunday evening, but also and to return back to Sarajevo on Monday which was out of initial schedule. Holbrooke declined to answer why his return to Sarajevo was necessary, but Ganic hinted there were "many unsolved questions such as the fate of 729 Bosniacs from Srebrenica and Zepa who had still been in camps in Serbia." Ganic also said that he expected the U.S. Administration to keep supporting Mostar Mayor Koschnick. Serb compliance with the peace plan was also discussed. "We reaffirmed our readiness to cooperate with the International war crimes tribunal in The Hague (ICTY) and also discussed the problems over the freedom of movement," said Bosnian Foreign Minister Muhamed Sacirbey, acting as Izetbegovic's personal envoy. The apprehension of dozen Serb soldiers and officers which had taken place earlier in the week, has seriously challenged the peace process. But Ganic said the Americans had supported the government in regard to its relation with the ICTY. "We were not demanded to release the officers," he underscored. On his arrival to Sarajevo Sunday morning Holbrooke insisted that the plan should be fully complied with, ruling out any postponements or alterations. He also assessed that current hindrances were first serious challenge to appear after signing the Dayton accords. He also met international representative Carl Bildt and the IFOR chief commander Admiral Leighton Smith. (Hina) bk 111617 MET feb 96