SPANISH COMMANDER APOLOGIZES FOR MOSTAR INCIDENT

MOSTAR, Jan 13 (Hina) - The Spanish SFOR brigade's commander, General Francisco Javier Zorzo, on Monday visited Mostar Mayor Ivan Prskalo to apologize him for an incident that happened on the night between 10 and 11 January when a Spanish soldier took down a Croatian flag from the building of a grammar school in western part of Mostar. General Zorzo said the perpetrator had been punished and the Croatian flag had been returned to a police station near the grammar school. General claimed the Spanish soldier had removed the flag in order to take it to his homeland as a souvenir. Gen. Zorzo said he and SFOR commander superior to him had been seriously concerned that the incident might assume graver proportions. He admitted that it was the biggest problem he has encountered since he took over command of the Spanish brigade. I shall do my utmost to prevent recurrence of such an incident, General pledged. Mayor Prskalo said the cooperation would continue with Spanish SFOR troops and that the incident would not affect good relations. (hina) mš 131759 MET jan 97