SFOR TO PREVENT PROVOCATIONS REGARDING BRCKO

SARAJEVO, Feb 13 (Hina) - SFOR members in Bosnia-Herzegovina intensified their control over the Brcko area pending the decision about the final status of the town, whose announcement is expected in Rome on Friday. SFOR spokesman Andrew Saddleton said in Sarajevo on Thursday that international military forces would not tolerate any threats or eruptions of animosity or conflicts between armies of the two entities. He added that SFOR would react to such attempts quickly and resolutely. HE confirmed that SFOR members had confiscated a T-55 tank two days ago, which had been spotted outside of the allowed location, 15 kilometres east of Brcko. The tank would be destroyed, Saddleton said. He could not confirm statements by the Sarajevo media that a group was approaching Brcko, consisting of about 200 Serb paramilitary troops headed by Zeljko Raznjatovic Arkan (indicted of war crimes at International Tribunal in The Hague). Saddleton said he had heard such rumours, but had no confirmation. In an attempt to calm the situation in Brcko, UN officials on Thursday organized a meeting of Bosnian Federation Interior Minister Mehmed Zilic and his deputy Jozo Leutar with the Serb entity Police Minister Dragan Kijac. They signed a joint statement that mass protests or the passing of large groups of people across the border between entities would not be allowed, and both sides had to ensure full personal and material safety to minorities. OSCE mission chief in Sarajevo David Foley announced on Thursday that the actions of the media after the announcement of the arbitration committee would be carefully watched. (hina) lm jn 131516 MET feb 97