SERBS FIRE OVER 2,000 SHELLS AT ORASJE AREA

SARAJEVO, May 5 (Hina) - Bosnian Serb forces launched early this morning a fierce attack at all Bosnian Croat (HVO) positions in Orasje area, northern Bosnia, between north edge of the Serb life- corridor and the Sava river. UN military observers said Serb artillery attack had started at 06.00 hours, and number of explosions had totalled over 2,000 by noon. Serbs first fired 102 mortar shells at Orasje, which was followed by an all-out artillery attack at HVO positions at Ostra Luka and Gradnice. According to preliminary UNPROFOR reports, the area suffered significant material damage. Artillery shells were also landing on Croatian soil, north side of the Sava river. Serbs have also assaulted at HVO and Bosnian army positions on the government-held part of Brcko area, where vehement artillery impacts were recorded early this morning as well. A UN spokesman in Sarajevo said these Bosnian Serb assaults were probably a respond to recent events in western Slavonia. The HVO Orasje command said in a statement that the attack at the central part of the Orasje-Samac front line had started at 06.15 hours, and that Bosnian Serb forces were reinforced with swooned runaways from western Slavonia. The attack was successfully predicted and rejected, the statement said, adding that the enemy had suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment. No casualties on the HVO side were reported. Serbs have continued launching the long-range shells at civilian targets in all residential areas in the Sava river valley, statement said, reporting a woman to be wounded. (Hina) mm bk 051529 MET may 95