Jajce, Zagreb, Sep 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - In recently liberated Jajce, central Bosnia, "government" of the so-called Herzeg Bosnia held a session yesterday. The only issue discussed was analysis of the situation on newly liberated area. After Croatian army retook Drvar, Sipovo and Jajce, representatives of "Herzeg Bosnia" claimed that those counties became a part of "Herzeg Bosnia". They talked about Drvar and Sipovo as "Croatian towns" and "Croatian counties", although, according to the 1991 census, 16,613 Serbs and 34 Croats lived in Drvar and 12,318 Serbs and 33 Croats in Sipovo. B-H army liberated eastern part of the Sipovo county but Bosnian officials did not claim that Sipovo was Bosniak town and Bosniak county, although 3,OOO Bosniaks lived there. At yesterday's session government of the so-called Herzeg Bosnia called Croatia's government to deny the refugee status for 4O,OOO refugees from Bosnia to be resettled to recently liberated areas in central Bosnia. Therefore, the Herzeg-Bosnia delegations will be visiting all major refugee centers in Croatia. Observers believe the "Herzeg-Bosnia" decision is an expression of the continuity of their policy to change the demographic structure of Bosnia and resettling the population from one part of the country to another, free willing or by force. Croatian minister for refugees A. Rebic lead the project for populating the Croats from Banja Luka to Glamoc, despite those people's opposition. Strategic position of Jajce is important in case the war continues because this town penetrates deep into central Bosnia towards Banja Luka. Jajce is a key source of electricity in this part of Bosnia for having a number of power plants. "Herzeg- Bosnia" authority has not hidden its firm decision to maintain Jajce under its control and not allow the Serbs and Bosniaks to return. At the meeting on Tuesday Croatia's and Bosnia's leadership pointed out that in the newly liberated areas the Federation authority will be established regardless of who liberated them - Bosnian army or Croatian army. The same was agreed for previously liberated areas. Still, return of Bosniaks in southern parts controlled by HVO (Stolac, Capljina, Ljubuski and west Mostar) was not allowed. Similar situation is in some other parts controlled by Croats. On the contrary Croatian politicians demanded unimpeded return of all Croats in all parts of Bosnia controlled by the Bosnian army. Bosnian government demanded return of all expelled from both sides, but "Herzeg- Bosnia" constantly refused and tried to impede establishment of the Zenica-Doboj canton, with no result. Croatian representatives mainly boycotted it. Bosnian Croats are now being settled in Bosniak and Serb houses in Jajce. Before the war 17,400 Bosniaks, 15,781 Croats, 8,664 Serbs, 2,486 "Yugoslavs" and 552 others lived there. It is not known whether this was the topic of the yesterday's Tudjman-Izetbegovic meeting in Zagreb. (end) A.S.
SILAJDZIC ON RELATIONS CROATIA - BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Zagreb, Sep 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - At the press conference in Zagreb, Bosnian prime minister Haris Silajdzic talked about relations between Croatia and B-H and Croats and Bosniaks. Concerning the issue, he mentioned the problem of refugees from Velika Kladusa, the followers of F. Abdic, many of them still in Croatian town of Vojnic. "Those people are returning to their homes but not in a satisfactory number. Our government has done its best, gave the guarantees, accepted mediating role of friendly governments, organized return. Amnesty includes all apart from the perpetrators of crimes." Silajdzic states that Croatian-Bosnian relations are "good but could be better. Regrettably, we have moved a little from the Washington agreement but it is important that we are settling disputes in agreement. Asked by TWRA about the chances for Bosniaks to return to Jajce and the HVO permit for free passage to B-H army through the area, Silajdzic said: "As for return of Bosniaks to Jajce it must be permitted and without any impediment as the reverse act would be a sever violating the international conventions and contrary to the Washington agreement and the least in accord with friendly relations with B-H and Croatia and Croats and Bosniaks. Regarding access of B-H army 7th Corps to that area to be joined the 5th Corps and to establish normal logistic operation and coordination of B-H army, we hope that agreement on the issue will be reached between Bosnian and Croatian side. /end/ F.N.
US COMMANDOS INJURED ON SEP. 9, NEARBY PALE
Washington, Sep 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) -Two US commandos were injured in the NATO rescue attempt to save two pilots of the french "Mirage 2OOO" downed by Serbs on Aug 3O. First rescue operation was on Sep 5, with 16 Americans participating in it. In the second operation, on Sep 6, (all the actions were performed by night) when Americans and the French took part but with no success. The third night, Americans and the French landed in the Pale vicinity and were exposed to severe machine gun fire. Commandos got on safely to helicopter and returned to the base. Rescue actions have not been taken any more. The story was released by the US NBC TV. Pentagon have not issued any comment. Rescue operation, according to NBC was taken after German reconnaissance plane made a photograph of a man showing a sign with letters and numbers which remind to a secret code "EBRO 33" having been used by the missing Frenchmen. /end/ F.N.
ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC REPEATED DEMANDS OF BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT
Vienna, Sep 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - At the press conference held in Vienna, Izetbegovic repeated the demand that integral Sarajevo, Brcko and a wide corridor towards Gorazde should be included. He stressed that any sort of secession from B-H remains permanently forbidden. /end/ F.N.
QUESTIONABLE 51:49 %, FIGHTING IN WESTERN B-H DECREASED
Zagreb, Sarajevo, Sep 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - A. Ivanko (UN) said that Karadzic's Serbs have less than 5O% i.e. hold 49.7% of the B-H territory under control. B-H army has 29.4% and HVO and HV 2O.9% of Bosnian territory under control, total of 5O.3% of the B-H territory. At the same press conference, Ivanko said that UNMO (UN military observers) were permitted to visit frontlines in western Bosnia and found out that B-H army and Croatian forces hold the counties of Donji Vakuf, Bosanska Krupa, Bosansko Grahovo, Sipovo, Drvar, Glamoc, Bihac (with Kulen Vakuf), Bosanski Petrovac, two thirds of Kljuc and Jajce and half of the Sanski Most county. Continuation of the fighting around Mrkonjic Grad and Sanski Most was reported today. At today's press conference in Zagreb, Bosnian prime minister H. Silajdzic was asked about the speculations saying the offensive launched by B-H army, Croatian army and HVO was stopped when the territorial ratio 51:49 was gained and if the offensive had changed the ratio 51:49 as offered in the Contact group plan last year and the US initiative this year. Silajdzic said that 51:49 was a part of a diplomatic plan while military actions were something different. We will undertake military actions as long as the peace is achieved. In the period with no peace, the only plan valid is liberating the whole territory of the Republic of B-H. The power of arms is now backing the B-H diplomacy. The change in percentage and lines on the maps with interior separation lines in B-H depend exclusively on Serb terrorists. If they had adopted the proposal of the Contact group last year, as we did, we would have had peace today within the current peace plan. If any changes are made on maps and in international peace initiatives, they will be in favour of legal authorities of the Republic of B-H. Our forces in western and central Bosnia and other parts of B-H will be active undertaking all what is needed to liberate the whole territory. As war is still underway, the army is to resist aggression. Until there are no serious indications that the enemy withdraws the arms and accepts demilitarization of Banjaluka, our forces will take active stand towards the enemy troops." Washington - US adm. spokesman said that the US government, despite the changes on the ground, still holds that the interior division of Bosnia 51:49% is adequate to peace solution. Split - "Pressure of the international community, particularly the USA have become great. Republics of B-H, Croatia and the B-H Federation were demanded to stop the military operations. Vital strategic aims have been gained what improves negotiating positions. USA and EU hold that the new positions will fasten negotiating process but also improve its results, " said the head of Croatian diplmacy M. Granic in the interview for "Slobodna Dalmacija" daily to the question about the reasons for cessation of the successful offensive in western Bosnia. UN spokesman Ph. Arnold reports that reinforced Croatian forces are withdrawing from Dvor, Kostajnica and Dubica on the left bank of the river Una from which they had tried to reach the right river bank and push Karadzic's Serbs back. /end/ F.N.
KINKEL ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
bonn, Sep 24, 1995 (Press TWRA) - German vice-chancellor and foreign minister Klaus Kinkel, in the interview for German paper "Welt am Sonntag" answered to the question on the crisis solution in B-H. Although opposed by foreign minister Volker Ruehe, Kinkel has not ruled out the possibility for Germany to take part in the international peace keeping forces in B-H. Due to "bad memories" from WWII, combat forces will not be sent but those who would participate in engineering, transport and logistic activities. "Any final decision has not been made so far. Our partners will certainly summon us to take part and we cannot refuse it but join in the function suitable for us", said Kinkel. In the interview for "Spiegel", German head of diplomacy pointed out that Germany does not lead anti Serbian policy adding that "Serbs must find its place in Europe". In the same statement, Kinkel described president Serbia S. Milosevic as a key person for peaceful solution to the conflict in ex-Yugoslavia. /end/A.S.
POPE TO VISIT SARAJEVO NEXT YEAR
Rome, Sep 24, 1995 (Press TWRA) - Vatican announced the itinerary of the head of Catholic church for next year. According to the plan, John Pope II will visit Latin America and several European states including Slovenia. Uncertain and without fixed date are visits to Jerusalem, Lebanon and Sarajevo. John Pope II wanted last year to visit Bosnian capital but Karadzic's Serbs prevented him refusing to give guarantees for his security in Sarajevo. /end/ A.S.
MASS GRAVE DISCOVERED NEARBY KLJUC
Kljuc, Sep 24, 1995 (Press TWRA) - After liberating the area, Bosnian army has found a mass grave in a village Krasulje, 1O km from the town of Kljuc. About 54O Bosniak civilians killed by Serb occupiers in the summer 1992, were buried in the mass grave, released Bosnian prime minister Haris Silajdzic. /end/ A.S.
BOSNIAN ARMY 5th CORPS ADVANCING
Bihac, Sep 24, 1995 (Press TWRA) - In the past two days Bosnian army has liberated 35O more sq km of the territory in western Bosnia, Bosnian army press center reports. Having liberated about ten villages, Bosnian army was yesterday at the very access to Bosanski Novi. The same statement claims that in the current offensive, the members of the 5th Corps have captured large quantities of arms and military equipment including 9 tanks, 16 armoured personnel carriers, 16 howitzers and 3O mortars. /end/ A.S.