IFOR TO STEP UP SECURITY IN WESTERN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Oct 2 (Hina) - The NATO-led peace Implementation Force (IFOR) will step up security measures in western Bosnia following frequent reports of continued politically-motivated violence, IFOR spokesman Simon Haselock said on Wednesday. Followers of breakaway Moslem leader Fikret Abdic were particularly exposed to various types of violence and intimidation, Haselock told a news conference in Sarajevo. Haselock said that the situation in the Bihac area had deteriorated in comparison to the pre-election period. UN spokesman Alexander Ivanko said that members of the International Police Task Force deployed in western Bosnia had reported at least two cases of intimidation and death threats against people in Velika Kladusa. He added that a local policeman was involved in those incidents. (hina) vm mm 021357 MET oct 96