SFOR CONFISCATES WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES IN MOSTAR

SARAJEVO, Oct 15 (Hina) - Members of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina confiscated weapons, explosives, and other evidence which could relate to illegal activities of secret services, during an operation which started in the southern Bosnia- Herzegovina town of Mostar on Thursday, SFOR officials reported in Sarajevo Friday. According to today's statement, also confiscated was computer equipment and documentation related to illegal secret services. The confiscated material includes information on illegal financial transactions, machines for making credit cards, bank cards, phone cards, and a large amount of cash. All material is being examined and all evidence which will, after an investigation, point to illegal activities, will be handed over to local authorities which are expected to conduct a criminal investigation. All other material will be returned to owners. The SFOR stressed in the statement that during the operation in Mostar they did not face resist, therefore there was no need to apply firmer measures. Reporters were not able to enter the buildings due to security reasons. SFOR also said that employees of the Mostar television of Erotel, namely their premises, were not the direct target of the investigation. The SFOR expressed regrets for causing temporary inconveniences for the Erotel staff. SFOR officials stressed that all material confiscated during the operation would be returned to Erotel after the investigation. Commenting on protests held on Mostar streets, the SFOR said those were minor incidents in which SFOR members were verbally insulted and their vehicles were hit by rocks. The SFOR statement read that the SFOR was aware that certain media called on Mostar residents to hold protests, adding that the Bosnian Croat veterans' organisation of HVIDRA unsuccessfully tried to misuse this situation. (hina) it mm