U.N. ENVOY TRIES TO DISSUADE REBEL SERBS FROM RETALIATING

ZAGREB, May 3 (Hina) - UN special envoy Yasushi Akashi was trying to pursuade rebel Serb authorities in their stronghold of Knin to refrain from retaliation against Croatian towns, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said in Zagreb today. Akashi's attempts were aimed at stabilizing the situation, Eckhard told a press conference in Zagreb at the time of yet another Serb missile attack on the city, which occurred shortly after noon today. Akashi was in close contact with the Croatian governmet and the Knin authorities, Eckhard said. Akashi had failed to organize a meeting of Croatian government and Knin officials on Tuesday because of the security situation at Zagreb's Pleso Airport. Eckhard said that UN peacekeepers continued to perform their duties normally in areas where the situation was stable. (hina) mm vm 031420 MET may 95