WITHDRAWAL OF FORCES IS GOING ON WELL, IFOR SAYS

SARAJEVO, Jan 14 (Hina) - The separation of forces in Bosnia- Herzegovina was progressing well, and it was expected to end by January 19, according to the peace deal, a spokesman for IFOR (Implementation Force) said in Sarajevo on Sunday. #L# The spokesman Marc Reiner said the withdrawal of the Bosnian Army, HVO (Bosnian Croat forces) and Bosnian Serb troops in northern Bosnian had been carried out at about 70-80 percent of former front lines. Until the end of next week all military forces in Bosnia must withdraw two kilometres from the positions they had held on the day when the peace agreement was signed. Reiner denied that in Usora the Bosnian Army and HVO troops had openly clashed with each other. "The situation in the area is very tense, but Norwegian IFOR officers had reacted on time to organize negotiations," he added. "According to reports available to us, the HVO and the Bosnian Army have not begun direct confrontation in the Usora area," the IFOR spokesman said. IFOR sources reported that tensions were decreasing gradually but steadily in Mostar. (hina) mms 141400 MET jan 96