SFOR CONTROLS CRUCIAL TV, RADIO TRANSMITTER IN NORTH BOSNIA

BOSNIA $ SARAJEVO, Sept 1 (Hina) - Stabilisation Force troops in Bosnia- Herzegovina took control over the Udrigovo radio and television transmitter in the northeast part of Bosnia, in order to prevent possible clashes between Biljana Plavsic's supporters and those supporting the Pale authorities over the transmitter, SFOR spokesman Chris Riley said in Sarajevo on Monday. The Udrigovo transmitter, located near Lopar, is crucial for the broadcasting of radio and television signals from Pale towards Posavina and Bosanska Krajina. #L# American NATO troops had taken control over the transmitter last week, and had disarmed a group of 27 persons armed with long-barrelled weapons, Riley said. We do not support either side, but we are acting in line with the mandate by preventing conflicts, he said. The right of ownership over the transmitter was being checked so it could be turned over to the legal authorities, and until that was done, the transmitter would remain disconnected, he said. The Pale authorities have through the media blamed SFOR for "occupying" the transmitter, which they warned, could cause new incidents. Our aim is not to influence which programme will be broadcast via the transmitter. All we want is to prevent conflicts, but we will use any force deemed necessary at any attempt of violence, Riley said. (hina) lm mm 011301 MET sep 97