NATO TROOPS MOVE TO PREVENT VI0LENCE IN SERB-HELD BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Aug 28 (Hina) - Stabilisation Force (SFOR) troops have stepped up security measures to prevent violence in the Serb entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the NATO-led peace force said in a statement on Thursday. NATO troops have been deployed to northern and central Bosnia to deter the outbreak of violence or criminal activities, the statement said, adding that they would use all means under the current peacekeeping mandate. The action was prompted by indications of possible clashes between forces loyal to Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic and followers of Bosnian Serb war-time leader and indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic. On Wednesday night SFOR was informed that police forces under Plavsic's command were trying to take control of police stations and radio and television facilities in the area of SFOR's Division North. Those forces had begun movements without SFOR's permission in violation of the Dayton peace agreement, and that members of both special and regular police forces were reported to be carrying long- barrelled weapons. NATO troops stepped up their patrols and would help the International Police Task Force in monitoring the activity of local police, the statement said. (hina) vm 281107 MET aug 97