DISCUSSION IN U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL ON RESOLUTION 908

NEW YORK, April 1 (Hina) - French Ambassador to the United Nations Jean-Bernard Merimee said last night that mandate of the U.N. protection force in former Yugoslavia must not be used for protecting territorial conquests. Speaking at a U.N. Security Council session after Resolution 908 was adopted, Ambassador Merimee warned that agreements, such as the one on the disengagement of Croatian Army and rebel Serb forces in Croatia, could not be used as a confirmation of territorial conquest. U.S. representative Edward Walker stressed his government's support for extension of close air support of UNPROFOR personnel in Croatia. The British representative Stephen Gomersall underlined that the problem of UNPAs should be solved by Serb autonomy within the borders of the Republic of Croatia. Russian delegate Vasily Sidorov condemned all attacks on UNPROFOR personnel and humanitarian convoys. All participants in the discussion supported ceasefire agreements between the Croats and Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Washington agreements, the ceasefire agreement between Republic of Croatia and local Serb authorities from UNPAs as well as UNPROFOR efforts to accomplish an overall peace settlement. 011203 MET apr 94