MOSTAR: SFOR CONFISCATES DOCUMENTS FROM HERCEGOVACKA BANKA

MOSTAR, April 18 (Hina) - Members of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina raided the Hercegovacka Banka in Mostar again early on Wednesday morning, and the SFOR Division South-East on Wednesday morning declined to comment on the operation. Eyewitnesses say SFOR troops blew up the bank's safe deposit box and took from it money, bonds, and credit and other documentation which was not confiscated in the April 6 operation. They claim the operation lasted from 2 to 6 am on Wednesday and that the confiscated material was taken away in five trucks. Roads in the town and those leading toward neighbouring municipalities were blocked during the night, Herzeg-Bosnia Auto Club confirmed. Helicopters were reported flying low above the town. Local police this morning blocked access to the bank building and marks around the building, including a damaged footway, witness to the use of heavy vehicles. On April 6, the High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina appointed a provisional management board of the Hercegovacka Banka because he suspected the bank was involved in illegal activities and linked with the Croat National Congress, which declared Croat self-rule in the country. The bank's spokesman Milan Sutalo, who was suspended along with all other bank employees, shareholders and management, said the High Representative was again using "force as an argument... thus confirming his incompetence." Sutalo said the bank safe deposit box had been blown up although the SFOR had the codes and keys. (hina) rml