SFOR WILL PREVENT INCIDENTS IN BANJA LUKA - BLAKELEY

SARAJEVO, Sept 8 (Hina) - Members of the NATO-led Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina are as of Monday deployed in the Banja Luka area in greater number. They set up check-points at roads leading to the north- western Bosnian town to control traffic. SFOR spokesman John Blakeley told reporters in Sarajevo on Monday the additional security measures had been undertaken in the wake of announcements that the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) would try to organize a pre-election rally in the centre of Banja Luka, despite being denied permission to do so by local authorities. According to UN spokesman Aleksandar Ivanko, representatives of the UN, the International Police Task Force and SFOR demanded of SDS officials that the party's rally take place at a stadium outside Banja Luka's central area. Blakeley pointed out the enforcement of peace and order was primarily a task of local police. But, he added, SFOR would not stand aside in case someone tried to cause incidents. Vehicles going to Banja Luka will be stopped and searched for arms. Commanders of SFOR units on the field are authorized to deny entry to Banja Luka to any group. (hina) ha jn 081421 MET sep 97