SARAJEVO, 28 March (Hina) - The forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II to Sarajevo will be organized with maximum security measures by the Federation police members and members of the International Police Task Force (IPTF). The
Federation Interior Minister Mehmed Zilic told a press conference in Sarajevo on Friday that a special security headquarters had been set up with the aim of securing the visit. Full coordination between all ten cantonal interior ministries had been established as well, he added.
AHEAD OF POPE'S VISIT TO SARAJEVO
SARAJEVO, 28 March (Hina) - The forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul
II to Sarajevo will be organized with maximum security measures by
the Federation police members and members of the International
Police Task Force (IPTF).
The Federation Interior Minister Mehmed Zilic told a press
conference in Sarajevo on Friday that a special security
headquarters had been set up with the aim of securing the visit.
Full coordination between all ten cantonal interior ministries
had been established as well, he added. #L#
Most of the 11,500 professional Federation police officers
would take part in the operation and in cooperation with
Stabilization Force (SFOR) secure all hills, set up anti-sniper
ambushes and special check points.
SFOR is also to take over the full control of Sarajevo airport
during the Pope's visit.
'American police have offered us a special team for anti-
commando protection and we have accepted it', Zilic said.
So far, the Federation government has approved DM 2,5 million
for the purchase of anti-commando equipment and liaison devices for
the needs of the Interior Ministry so that it could be fully
equipped for their tasks.
Cooperation with the Bosnian Serb entity interior ministry had
also been established, Zilic said, adding that the Serb police
would be in charge of securing the passage of pilgrims on their way
to Sarajevo.
Asked about results of an investigation into a recent attack
on the Church of St Joseph in Sarajevo, Zilic said that the attack
had been carried out by a group specialized in terrorist actions,
but refused to say what has been established so far.
The investigation should be first completed, Zilic said,
adding he hoped that the problem would be solved successfully.
Special measures aimed at securing religious buildings in the
Federation would remain in force, Zilic said.
(hina) rm
281435 MET mar 97