HAND GRENADE ATTACK ON OSCE REGIONAL OFFICE IN EASTERN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Dec 21 (Hina) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina has closed its regional office in the eastern town of Foca following a terrorist attack two days ago. OSCE spokesman David Foley said in Sarajevo on Saturday that a hand grenade had exploded outside the OSCE office in Foca late Tuesday night, heavily damaging two cars. One vehicle belonged to the NATO-led peace Implementation Force (IFOR). French IFOR troops who were in the OSCE office at the time of the attack attempted to catch the assailant but failed. After an investigation by local and international police, local police on Friday arrested a young man suspected of throwing the grenade. He was allegedly known as an alcoholic and drug addict, and was held in custody. The investigation is continuing. Since Friday, local police had stepped up security around the OSCE office but its international staff had been withdrawn as a precaution, Foley said. (hina) vm 211307 MET dec 96