BLUE ROUTES TO SARAJEVO COULD BE USED FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING?

SARAJEVO, Jan 24 (Hina) - The Bosnians welcomed yesterday's protocol on the opening of blue routes to Sarajevo describing it as a success but expressed concern that there was still no agreement on the free transport of commercial goods. Under the protocol, goods transported by UN and ICRC agencies and humanitarian organisations such as Caritas, Merhamet, La benevolenzia, Adra and Dobrotvor would freely circulate along the blue routes, Bosnian Minister Hasan Muratovic said. This was confirmed by UN Civil Department Deputy Chief for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gollum Murphy, who said yesterday's protocol further strengthened the truce in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The protocol stipulates the civilians' freedom of movement, and also includes the free choice of residence, Murphy said. Bosnian Serb official Momcilo Krajisnik said on Saturday that citizens would be allowed to leave their residence and move to any part of Bosnia they chose. But no Sarajevo officials have so far admitted to having signed any such agreement. Today's "Oslobodjenje" warned that the agreement on free movement of civilians could be used as another form of ethnic cleansing and contribute to creating pure ethnic territories or states. "But if it helps stop the bloodshed, it can be regarded as progress," Oslobodjenje said. Yesterday's protocol is based on the March 17 Agreement on Blue Routes, which provided for the free transport of all goods except military material along the blue routes. The official opening of the blue routes was set for February 1, Murphy said. (hina) jn as 241450 MET jan 95