DESPAIR AND HUNGER OVERWHELM BIHAC PEOPLE, UNHCR SAYS

ZAGREB, Dec 5 (Hina) - The food shortage and waiting for the international community's relief aid were the main characteristics of the situation in the Bihac pocket, Monique Tuffelli, the present head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in that crisis area, told a press conference in Zagreb this evening. Ms. Tuffelli left the Bihac area on Sunday. The food shortage made the situation dramatic. Nothing could be bought, she said adding that "the total shortage of food is just a question of time", said she. "The Bihac Hospital is especially affected by this," she stressed. There are now 1100 patients in the hospital, but their number is changing daily," she added. The Bihac civilians are exposed more to shelling than to sniper fire. The number of civilian casualties is varying, but on the average three Bihac's citizens are wounded every day, according to Ms. Tuffelli. Velika Kladusa has been short of water supplies for two weeks. The people in the Bihac pocket were despondent, she concluded. (hina) mar rv mms 051938 MET dec 94