UN REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH KARADZIC AT PALE

ZAGREB, Apr 16 (Hina) - Following is UNPROFOR's statement on a meeting with Bosnian Serb leader Karadzic, issued on Friday: "The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Yasushi Akashi, accompanied by the Co-Chairman of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg, held talks on Friday in Pale with the Bosnian Serb leader, Dr. Radovan Karadzic. These talks were aimed at reducing tensions in Bosnia- Herzegovina. They also addressed the issue of UNPROFOR personnel currently detained or under restriction by Bosnian Serb military forces. "While at Pale, the SRSG learned with dismay of the renewal of hostilities in and around Gorazde, and of the wounding of two soldiers serving with UNPRFOR forces in Gorazde. Mr. Akashi immediately intervened with Dr. Karazdic to demand an end to the hostilities and to the urgent evacuation of the wounded soldiers. With the cooperation of the Bosnian Serb authorities, one of the wounded soldiers, who was critically injured, was evacuated to Sarajevo. It is with profound regret that the SRSG, Mr. Akashi, and the Force Commander, Gen. de Lapresle, have learned of his death. At this critical junction the SRSG again calls upon the Bosnian Serb forces to cese hostilities in and around Gorazde." 161038 MET apr 94