REMAINING CROATS TERRORIZED IN DRNIS AREA

UNESIC, May 11 (Hina) - Drnis authorities in exile today addressed UNCRO H.Q., UN Civilian Police and International Red Cross Committee seeking for urgent intervention in order to protect the remaining Croats in the town. The southern Croatian town of Drnis came under rebel Serb control in 1991. Most of its Croat residents have been expelled since, but the remaining 450 have been recently exposed to increased terror by Serb rebels. The terror was intensified after the liberation of western Slavonia. Serb irregulars were looting, maltreating the remaining Croats, mostly elderly people, driving them out of their homes. Many of them were forced to leave town and take shelter in the surrounding unhospitable hills. Not only Croats, but also local Serbs were often subject to terror, the Drnis authorities said, particularly during last few days, following the arrival of some extreme paramilitary groups from Serbia. (Hina) jn bk 111448 MET may 95