SFOR CONFIRMS REPORTS OF RIOTS AND DAMAGE IN DRVAR

( Editorial: --> 9279 ) SARAJEVO/DRVAR/MOSTAR, April 24 (Hina) - A large number of buildings have been burnt down in the western Bosnian town of Drvar during riots which started about noon, an SFOR spokesman confirmed on Friday. Captain Ian Stock, from Banja Luka-based Multinational Division (South-West), told Hina the crowd which had gathered in the streets of the Croat-controlled town had set fire to the municipal council building, primary school, International Police Task Force (IPTF) station and several residential buildings. A number of cars had also been set on fire. He said the situation in Drvar was very serious and an infantry battalion from the Canadian army combat group had been sent to strengthen SFOR units located there. The SFOR spokesman said all IPTF officers together with translators had been withdrawn from Drvar because of a lack of security. For now the SFOR command is only using media reports that Drvar Mayor Milan Marceta was injured in the incidents. During the afternoon news on Mostar-based Croatian Radio Herceg- Bosna, a correspondent from Drvar reported from the scene. She quoted Drvar police as saying 11 people had been lightly injured and one person seriously injured during the disturbances. The correspondent said that during the incidents Croats had protested by shouting "Derventa, Derventa" and "Why Is Nobody Caring About Us". She reported on the burning of buildings, throwing of stones and overturning of cars. (Hina) jn mb /as 241730 MET apr 98