UNPROFOR'S STATEMENT ON ITS FURTHER ACTIVITES IN B-H

ZAGREB, Apr 16 (Hina) - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for the Former Yugoslavia, Yasushi Akashi has warned today that it would be meaningless for UNPROFOR to continue to fulfill its present activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina if Bosnian Serbs were not to cooperate, according to UNPROFOR statement issued today in Zagreb. The statement stresses "In spite of assurances given by Dr. Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader and the Bosnian Serb Headquarters that no attack would be made on the town of Gorazde, some shelling was observed early this afternoon and later on tanks approached and fired into the town, at the hospital." These actions left many people wounded, according to the UNPROFOR statement. "The Bosnian Serb authorities were then specifically warned that if any tank continued to move or threatened the town, it would be attacked. Following failure to comply, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Commander, Lt.-Gen. Sir Michael Rose requested close air support which was sustained by the Force Commander, Brig. Gen. Bertrand de la Presle and approved by the SRSG, Mr. Akashi. On this basis NATO attack aircraft were called in. As the weather was poor, a number of passes were required to confirm and clearly identify the target. During this manoeuver a British Harrier aircraft was shot down by a surface to air missile. The pilot ejected safely. No attacks were made on ground targets," said the statement. "Assurances by the Bosnian Serb Army (BSA) have not materialized. A statement has therefore been issued by Mr. Akashi that unless there was serious and manifest intention by the BSA supported by clear action and co-operation on the ground, it would be meaningless in the present circumstances for UNPROFOR to continue to fulfill its present activities in B-H. The SRSG is urgently reviewing the future role and status of UNPROFOR in B-H in close consultation with the Secretary-General, who will be reporting to the Security Council soon," concluded the statement. 162249 MET apr 94