IPTF COMMANDER ISSUES STATEMENT ON MOSTAR INCIDENTS

MOSTAR, 19 Jan (Hina) - Commander of the international police force for the Mostar area Lieutenant Colonel Frank Sarver on Saturday evening issued a statement regarding the incidents which had taken place in Mostar during the past two days, Herzeg-Bosnian news agency Habena said on Saturday. "It is believed there are factions in your community which do not want safety and stabilization. It is their intention to continue with disorders", the statement said and added that the citizens of Mostar and the International Police Task Force (IPTF) must not allow it. In the last few days several incidents which could have jeopardized the peace in Mostar took place, Sarver said, adding that IPTF received only two reports, not five, as reported by some media, on instances of stoning near the Hasan Brkic bridge. "When I got in touch with representatives of the Mostar media, they inquired about a shooting near the Hit square. The produced information and report show that there was no shooting on that square. I was also asked about the burnt standard from a former high school. At the time I had no information about the incident. The report was done later", the statement says. Sarver concluded by stating that he wanted to accuse no one without evidence. (hina) ha 191336 MET jan 97