PLAVSIC SUPPORTERS TAKE CONTROL OVER POLICE STATIONS

SARAJEVO, Aug 28 (Hina) - Police loyal to Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic on Thursday morning took control of several police stations in the northern part of the Bosnian Serb territory, UN spokesman Liam McDowal told reporters in Sarajevo. McDowal did not say which these police stations were, but pointed out that the International Police Task Force was not included in these operations, even though during regular check- ups yesterday, they withdrew a considerable amount of weapons and ammunition from local police stations in several parts of Bosnia- Herzegovina. The UN spokesman confirmed that in the morning an angry mob surrounded and attacked an IPTF station in the north-eastern Bosnian Serb town of Brcko, where they caused damage to 15 vehicles parked outside the station and smashed windows. Two international policemen suffered light injuries when civilians tried to get them out of their car, said McDowal. The violence in Brcko occurred after a local radio called the population to gather in front of the police station and "defend it from the international community." Chris Riley, a spokesman for the Stabilization Force, described the situation in north BH as confusing and as changing by the hour. We deployed additional forces in order to prevent an outbreak of violence and fresh confrontations, Riley said, adding that NATO soldiers had to this effect been deployed in Brcko and Bjeljina, the headquarters of the Pale-controlled Interior Ministry, where strong special police brigades are stationed. Duncan Bullivant, spokesman for the office of the international high representative for BH, mentioned reports on morning gun-fire in Brcko, corroborated by international administrator Robert Farrand well. The origin of the gun-fire had not been determined, Bullivant added. He also said there existed indications that Plavsic's supporters yesterday and today attempted to take over some radio and television transmitters. According to Bullivant, the international community did not support Biljana Plavsic in the current clashes, but the constitution and the law. In such circumstances, the international community has the right to ensure that they be complied with, he said. The office of the international high representative called on the parties to refrain from violence, even though we understand the frustrations of those who act under the influence of the lies and false information provided by the media from Pale, Bullivant concluded. (hina) ha 281428 MET aug 97