ZUBAK CALLS ON DRVAR RESIDENTS TO REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE

( Editorial: --> 9322/9333 ) SARAJEVO, April 24 (Hina) - Bosnian Presidency member Kresimir Zubak has urged Drvar residents to calm down and refrain from demonstrations and violence and to respect public order and peace. Following riots which had erupted in the western Bosnian town on Friday, Zubak said he understood "all the dissatisfaction and anger by refugee, exiled and displaced Croats in Drvar". While their actions were the result of "pressures and injustice", Zubak said violence, no matter what the reason, was inexcusable and inadmissible, a statement from Zubak's office said. The Bosnian Presidency's Croat member also called on the structures of authority and forces of law and order to take all necessary measures to calm the situation, and use legal means against irresponsible individuals. Also, Croat-Muslim Federation Vice-President Vladimir Soljic held talks in Sarajevo with Deputy High Representative Jacques Klein to discuss the situation following the latest incidents in Derventa and Drvar. They both strongly condemned the incidents, Soljic's office said. Zubak's stance was also supported by the Herceg-Bosna Canton government at a session in Livno on Friday. It strongly denounced the incidents and called on Drvar residents to respect public order. Meanwhile, the Canton Interior Ministry said three police officers had been lightly injured in the riots but the situation in Drvar was now "under control". Cantonal police reinforcements had been sent to support local officers and they evacuated Serb returnees from the former army barracks, and other buildings they had been accommodated in, to safety, the Ministry said. (Hina) mb /as 241838 MET apr 98