UNTAES ARMS BUY-BACK PROGRAMME TO END ON 31 AUG IN E. CROATIA

ZAGREB, Aug 6 (Hina) - The UNTAES weapons buy-back programme will end on 31 August 1997, UN Transitional Administration in eastern Slavonia (UNTAES) said in a statement issued on Wednesday. "Until that date, inhabitants of the UNTAES Region will be able to sell their private arms at the collection locations at Darda, Beli Manastir (Belgian Battalion), Klisa and Orolik (Russian Battalion). Full anonymity of vendors is guaranteed; no identification document is required," the statement read. "Since its beginning, in October 1996, and up to 1 August 1997, the programme collected 7,963 rifles and machine guns, 1,922 anti-tank rocket launchers, mortars, cannons, and SA launchers, 13,115 grenades and 1,702 815 rounds of ammunition," it added. "Prices offered remain unchanged. They vary, according to the quality of the weapons offered, from 500 to 1,000 kunas (US$ 74.6 and 149.2 respectively) for pistols and rifles. Hunting weapons are bought for about 500 kunas, rocket launchers for about 1,500 kunas (US$ 223.8) and ammunition 0.20 kunas (about 3 cents) per shot. Under the Croatian Weapons Act of 22 October 1992, (Art.75) which will be also applicable in the UNTAES region, the possession of unregistered weapons carries fines from 20,000 to 50,000 kunas (from 2985 to 7463 dollars) or a prison sentence up to 30 days. Personal weapons must be registered with the Transitional Police Force (TPF)," the UNTAES statement read at the end. (hina) jn mš 061854 MET aug 97