SFOR SPOKESMAN HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE ON DOBOJ INCIDENT

SARAJEVO, 24 Sept (Hina) - A group of some 200 to 250 civilians had organised demonstrations near the northern Bosnian town of Doboj, throwing Molotov cocktails and burning tyres at a Stabilisation Force checkpoint located on a bridge near the town, SFOR spokesman, Major Jan Joosten told a press conference in Sarajevo Wednesday. Joosten added that the mob had also set fire to a bus on the bridge. The commander of the SFOR units was forced to relocate the soldiers, but he continued talks with the demonstrators. In the early evening hours, the mob ceased behaving violently and dispersed. Joosten denied rumours that several SFOR tanks had been set afire, adding that SFOR vehicles and equipment had not been damaged. Representatives of SFOR, international police and Doboj public security centre reached an agreement on the stabilisation of the situation in the area. In the future, all SFOR activities would be directed towards lessening tensions and implementing the Dayton peace agreement, Joosten said. (hina) rm 241621 MET sep 97