HERZEG-BOSNIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY ON USORA EVENTS

MOSTAR, Jan 12 (Hina) - The Herzeg-Bosnian defence ministry on Friday evening issued a statement regarding a recent attempt of Bosnian army forces to enter two Croat villages in the Usora area in central Bosnia. Following are some highlights: "At a high-level meeting of HVO and Bosnian army commanders held on January 9, it was agreed that the commanders of the Vitez- based HVO command and the 3rd Bosnian army corps would verify the situation on the ground and carry out the necessary consultations in view of the pull-out of the 110th HVO regiment and the 373rd Bosnian army brigade ahead of IFOR's deployment." "Aiming to change the situation on the ground before IFOR's arrival, without any provocation on the part of the HVO, forces of the 373rd brigade of the Bosnian army 3rd corps today blocked an HVO military police detachment, installed barbed wire, crossed the (Usora) river and in full battle array entered the area controlled by the 110th HVO regiment." "Thanks to the level-headedness of HVO forces, which did not respond to the attack, bloodshed was avoided." "However, Bosnian army forces are still deploying their troops, preparatory to attacking HVO positions." The statement went on to say that HVO structures had notified IFOR and the Bosnian army headquarters in Sarajevo. "We expect the Moslem side to find the strength to eliminate extremists from its ranks," the statement concluded. (hina) as 122234 MET jan 96