PANEL ON BIHAC- UN-SAFE ZONE AS DEATH ZONE FOR ITS CITIZENS

ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - "If the world has failed anywhere, it has failed in Bihac", said the head of the Croatian Victimological Society Zvonimir Separovic at the panel " Bihac - UN-declared safe zone - death zone for the Bihac people" in Zagreb today. Those assembled at the panel were read a letter written by the Bihac authorities which warned that the town and its surroundings along with the "safe zone" are being continually attacked from the occupied Croatian territory. The letter said that the humanitarian daily rations in Bihac had been cut to 53 grams per person only, while 197,292 people were dependent on these rations during the last year, according to UNHCR's estimates. According to the letter, 12,112 tonnes of humanitarian aid were transported into that region last year, which was only one quarter of the existential minimum. In the first forty days of this year only 231 tonnes of aid were delivered into the region , which makes not even five percent of the minimal needs. In the last two months 17 premature born babies and eight newly born babies died due to food shortage. In the summary of the panel Separovic suggested that " the military power of the aggressor be beaten through the united forces of the Bosnian Army and the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), and the alliance of Bosnia -Herzegovina and Croatia". He suggested that a free passage for humanitarian convoys be ensured and an air-lift for the delivery of food and medicines be established. According to the summary, immediate help should be sought from the UN and specialised organisations, the safe area should be protected through a decisive military action. The arms embargo should be also lifted so as to enable the Bosnian Muslims and Croats in Bihac to defend themselves. "We are witnesses to a terrible decadence of the European civilisation", said the Banja Luka bishop Franjo Komarica, calling on all people and organisations to stand up in defence of human rights. (hina) jn mms 111933 MET feb 95