UNTAES ISSUES STATEMENT ON JUNE 8 STONING INCIDENT IN VUKOVAR

OSIJEK, June 12 (Hina) - The UNTAES public relations office issued a statement on Thursday in response to some statements and media reports on a stoning incident that had occurred in Vukovar on June 8. The statement said that UNTAES had ensured a Transitional Police Force squad and a military squad to provide security during the visit of the Croatian President and that it had fully adjusted its security plan with the President's Office and Croatian security services, including the Interior Ministry. During the visit, UNTAES security personnel realised that the President's entourage was much bigger than expected and agreed, for which reason the request for security was changed at very short notice, the statement said. UNTAES stressed it did not approve of any violence or provocation. Despite the thoroughly adjusted rules of conduct for all participants, UNTAES noticed that some visitors did not comply with them consistently. The provocative and offensive behaviour of certain elements on the train, including the showing of vulgar and provocative gestures and signs, prompted a negative and hostile reaction from a small, until then peacful, number of bystanders. UNTAES reiterated its view that provocations should not be allowed, that violence could not be condoned and that the perpetrators should be brought to justice. Although similar incidents often go unnoticed elsewhere in Croatia, UNTAES acted immediately and apprehended three suspects, while warrants have been issued for the arrest of another three persons, the statement said. The Transitional Police Force (TPF) and Croatian police have taken disciplinary action against four TPF members of Croat nationality. The investigation is still in progress, the statement concluded. (hina) vm jn 122111 MET jun 97