MOSTAR MAYOR RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL OFFICE HEAD

MOSTAR, Feb 15 (Hina) - The mayor of the southern Bosnian town of Mostar, Ivan Prskalo, on Saturday received the head of the regional office of the international community's high representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Martin Garrod. It was their first meeting since the eruption of violence in this town on February 10. Prskalo said that they discussed the situation in Mostar and agreed that efforts should be made to defuse tensions and ensure the safety of residents on both sides of the town. Garrod said that he would contribute to the easing of tensions through continued cooperation with Prskalo and his deputy, Safet Orucevic. Garrod said he had not expected such grave incidents to happen, expressing regrets that had left for England the day before they had occurred. Garrod said that Mostar had suffered a big blow, but expressed a hope that it would recover soon. The first step in that direction would be to implement the measures agreed at a meeting in Sarajevo on February 12, Garrod said, adding that his main task would be to coordinate international efforts to implement those measures. (hina) vm 151229 MET feb 97