Bosnia peace negotiator imposes laws

The chief international peace coordinator in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Carlos Westendorp, has again used his extra powers to impose new laws after the central government failed to adopt them.

Under powers granted by an international conference earlier this month, he imposed a law on customs tariffs and two on landmines.

His office said the lives of people endangered by mines should not be an issue of party politics.

The laws had been approved by the Moslem and Croat members of the government, but not by the Serb representative.

Mr Westendorp was given the extra powers to ensure that the Dayton peace accords would be implemented in Bosnia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service