OSCE OPENS OFFICE IN SERB-HELD BANJA LUKA

SARAJEVO, March 2 (Hina) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Friday opened its office in the Serb-controlled town of Banja Luka in northern Bosnia. The office was opened by OSCE Bosnia mission chief Robert Frowick and the ceremony was attended by Bosnian Serb prime minister Rajko Kasagic, the Sarajevo-based OSCE mission said in a statement on Saturday. The Banja Luka office would perform duties it had been entrusted by the Dayton peace agreement and would be responsible for an area between Bosanski Novi, Sipovo and Brcko. Under the Dayton agreement, OSCE would prepare and conduct free and fair elections, and monitor complience with human rights and the implementation of agreements on restoration of confidence and arms control. OSCE was also planning to open its offices in Prijdor, Derventa, Doboj and Brcko. (hina) vm 022034 MET mar 96