EU CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASED CRIME IN MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Jan 6 (Hina) - The European Union Administration in Mostar is concerned about the increased level of crime in the city, particularly in its western, Croat-held sector. "We are concerned about the increase in 'armed' crime," Klaus Metscher, an assistant to the EU Mostar Adminstrator, told a press conference today. Armed gangs were stealing cars which belonged to international agencies, he said. Martin Garrod, also an assistant, said that a car which belonged to an international rescue committee, was stolen yesterday in west Mostar. On January 2, the car in which the UNHCR chief for Mostar was traveling, was held up by two armed persons who fired two bullets in the air before stealing the car. The UNHCR chief was unharmed in the incident which happened in west Mostar. Garrod said that on December 28 (1994), also in west Mostar, four balaclavaed and armed persons fired six bullets at an International Red Cross car, before taking off with the vehicle. "These bands of criminals work against the interest of Mostar," Metscher said, adding that non-government agencies were planning to shut down their operations. Metscher said he hoped the Croatian side in Mostar would finally accept a proposal to establish a joint police force. He said there was a clear link between the increased level of crime and the stagnation in the police unification process. He called on military formations in Mostar to abide by an agreement on the demilitirisation of the city, as an increasing number of soldiers were seen passing through check points on approaches to the city. Metscher said he believed the four month cease-fire agreement would lead to political negotiations and progress in relations within the Moslem-Croat Federation in Bosnia. He announced that pedestrian bridges would be constructed across the Neretva River which divides the city east and west. A makeshift crossing would be installed at the site of 'The Old Bridge' in central Mostar. (hina) jn sd vm 061415 MET jan 95