BH FEDERATION INTERIOR MINISTER ORDERS MEASURES AGAINST BREAK-UP OF POLICE SYSTEM

SARAJEVO, March 14 (Hina) - The interior minister of Bosnia- Herzegovina's Croat-Muslim entity (Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina), Mehmed Besic, on Wednesday ordered all police departments on the ground to take special measures aimed at preventing the distribution of police weapons and property. In a letter sent to all police stations, a copy of which was sent to Hina as well, Besic said the measures were ordered "in the light of events which followed the High Representative's decision to replace Ante Jelavic and decisions adopted by the so-called Croat National Assembly on Croat self-rule, to become effective on March 19." The minister requested that police stations take measures which would prevent "parapolice structures" from trying to seize weapons and equipment. A special group has been formed with the task to coordinate activities aimed at thwarting attempts to break up the federal police system, the letter reads. Police members have been warned again that any form of illegal conduct will be subject to legal consequences to be determined not only by local bodies of authority but the international police forces in the country (IPTF) as well. (hina) rml