OPENING OF TUZLA AIRPORT DOUBTFUL, UNPROFOR SAYS

SARAJEVO, Jan 28 (Hina) - The UN in Sarajevo said today the opening of the Tuzla airport, announced for early February, was still doubtful. UN spokesman Gary Coward said UNPROFOR had completed the technical overhaul but no aircraft could land until both Sarajevo and Pale gave their consent. Bosnian Serbs refused to guarantee the safety of the flights, although the airport would be used mostly for UNPROFOR business - the relief of soldiers and bringing in supplies. According to UNHCR, there was no point in shipping relief aid by air, as Tuzla was easily reachable by road convoys. The Bosnian Government was insisting that UNPROFOR either reopen the airport or leave it. Of the 41 aircraft that landed in Tuzla since last May only one managed to touch down without difficulties. The other 40 had come under mortar or cannon fire from Bosnian Serb positions, UN spokesman Alexander Ivanko said. UNPROFOR suspended all flights this autumn for security reasons. (hina) jn as 281300 MET jan 95