SFOR INCREASES PRESENCE IN MOSTAR

SARAJEVO, Feb 10 (Hina) - The NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday reported three explosions in the southern town of Mostar. Two explosions occurred in Moslem-controlled east Mostar at around 21.00 hours on Sunday while a third was recorded at 3.00 hours on Monday in the vicinity of the cathedral in the western, Croat-held part of town, SFOR spokesman Tony White said in Sarajevo. SFOR did not have information about possible damage or casualties, and White said that local police had launched an investigation. White stressed that SFOR had increased its presence in the Mostar area to prevent similar incidents. He added that NATO troops were not directly involved in the investigation. UN spokesman Alexander Ivanko expressed deep concern about the events in Mostar. He said that international police were monitoring the investigation into the explosions. Ivanko said that the blasts had most likely been caused by hand grenades, adding that it would be very hard to identify the perpetrators because the grenades had been thrown near the former line of separation. Ivanko went on to say that two persons wearing HVO uniforms and carrying an "Uzi" machine gun were responsible for a new case of forcible eviction reported on Sunday. Ivanko stressed that local police had done nothing to prevent the expulsion and that international police would continue investigating the case. According to UN sources, it was the second time that members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) had been involved in apartment evictions. White said that the incident was still being investigated. If the investigation showed that members of the Croat military forces had been responsible, SFOR would intervene, he added. (hina) vm jn 101620 MET feb 97