IZETBEGOVIC FIRMLY DENIES ANY CONNECTION WITH TERRORISM

SARAJEVO, Oct 12 (Hina) - Alija Izetbegovic, the president of the (Muslim) Party of Democratic Action (SDA), on Friday categorically refuted any kind of his possible connection with Osama bin Laden or with any terrorist group, and accused the media of spreading intentionally false information. At a news conference in Sarajevo, Izebegovic said an Austrian representative to the Council of Europe, Peter Scheider, had personally confirmed to him that he had never spoken of the existence of a photograph showing allegedly Izebegovic's links with bin Laden. Information on this case was based on statements of some politicians from the Bosnian Serb republic and the Croat-Muslim federation, which turned to be untrue. Lies of this kind are persistently being spread," the angry Izetbegovic told reporters, adding that such rumours did damage not only to him but also to the reputation and interests of Bosnia- Herzegovina. There are intentions of using this wave of the wrath, fuelled by terrorism, for bids to disintegrate Bosnia, Izetbegovic said explaining that his remark referred primarily to some forces among Bosnian Serbs. In his mind, the recent developments have substantially brought into question the respect for human rights. He maintains that some of the latest arrests in relation to suspicion about terrorism in Bosnia have been conducted illegally and that under the cloak of the anti-terrorist fight verbal offence was being re-introduced. "The anti-terrorist fight cannot be an alibi for the violation of human rights," Izetbegovic warned. (hina) sb ms