SERB LEADERSHIP IN PALE PREVENTS ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL OF MINIS

MINIS $ TERS - STEINER SARAJEVO, 23 Dec (Hina) - Michael Steiner, deputy to the international peace coordinator in Bosnia Carl Bildt, on Monday accused Bosnian Serbs of making unacceptable requests and preventing a consensus on the organisation of the first session of the state parliament as well as the establishment of a council of ministers. #L# Saying he regretted the fact that it would not be possible to reach agreement on the parliament session by Christmas, Steiner added that the election of council members should be confirmed at the parliament session. The sole reason for the delay was the attitude of the Serb leadership in Pale, Steiner said. The Federation government had shown great flexibility during negotiations on that problem. It had accepted a previous proposal by Pale leadership to hold sessions alternately in Sarajevo (Federation territory) and in Lukavica near Sarajevo (Republika Srpska), but Pale authorities soon made new requests. The Bosnian Serbs had time to consider their actions until 28 December. If there was still no answer by then, Steiner said, Bildt's office would inform Contact group member-countries about the actions of the Bosnian Serb leadership and ask them to take certain actions. Today's adoption of the Herzegovina Canton Constitution was an encouraging sign, Steiner said, expressing hope that it would help remove blockades which prevented proper functioning of the Canton. Steiner also called on the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) to publicly distance itself from rumours on the expulsion of Santa Claus from public life. That would be an important sign which would strengthen the hope that Sarajevo would survive as a city tolerant towards all convictions, he said. A statement by SDA officials in that sense would be very desirable, Steiner said. (hina) rm jn 231836 MET dec 96