SFOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON INCIDENT NEAR STOLAC

SARAJEVO/MOSTAR, Nov 30 (Hina) - The Command of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Sarajevo on Monday confirmed that freedom of movement has been reinstated in the Stolac area (southern Bosnia-Herzegovina) Sunday night following demonstrations staged after the apprehension of a Bosnian Croat. Civilians blocked a road Sunday near the village of Masline, four kilometres west of Stolac, SFOR said. Demonstrations broke out after SFOR soldiers apprehended Marjan Prca at a control point for possession of a gun and illegal ammunition found in his car. The SFOR command pointed out that the "Renner" company from Stolac was exclusively responsible for the road block, as it has been carrying out a policy of obstruction for some time. Some reports by Sarajevo media described the Renner company as a mediator in illegal trade with the Bosnian Serb entity of Republika Srpska, and as an organisation whose members held control over the Stolac municipality. The road block was removed after negotiations held by SFOR representatives, representatives of the Office of the International High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and officials of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. (hina) lml