BOSNIAN CROAT HVO TROOPS ENTER KUPRES TOWN

MOSTAR, Nov 3 (Hina) - Croat Defence Council (HVO) troops entered Kupres town in southwestern Bosnia at 1.20 pm today, ending the 30- month occupation of Kupres by Serb forces, Bosnian Croat defence officials in Mostar said. The Herzeg-Bosnian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the HVO took control of the entire Kupres municipality, measuring over 600 square kilometres in area. It said that three HVO soldiers had been killed and six wounded and that large amounts of Serb weapons, ammunition and equipment had been seized. Herzeg-Bosnian Defence Minister Vladimir Soljic and HVO Chief of Staff Major-General Tihomir Blaskic congratulated the HVO troops involved in Operation Cincar on their courage and success. They also called on all refugees from Kupres to return to their homes. A Herzeg-Bosnian radio reporter in Kupres said the town was deserted and that it suffered great damage. He added that Serb troops were in disarray, fleeing towards Sipovo. (hina) jas vm 031830 MET nov 94