STATEMENT ON SERB OFFENSIVE ON BRCKO FREE ZONE

ZOVIK/BRCKO (Hina) - The Serb aggressors have been carrying out a severe offensive on Brcko free zone (northeastern Bosnia- Herzegovina) already four days, warns a statement issued today afternoon by the Brcko Croatian Defence Council (HVO) and the Brcko Croatian National Council. The defence lines of the Bosnia- Herzegovina army and the (HVO) are being continuously exposed to fierce assaults of the Serb forces. Over 10 thousand artillery shells have hit the area last four days. The statement also says that there are foreigners, Russian and Romanian soldiers, among the troops of the Serb aggressors. But the Serb aggressors have mobilized by force Croats and Moslems as well, according to this statement. The latest offensive on Brcko free zone left 5 HVO members killed and 20 wounded. "We are calling on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia as well as all the world to support us in our struggle in order that tomorrow it would not be too late to undertake necessary steps," emphasizes the statement. The statement, signed by the Brcko HVO and the Brcko Croatian National Council, recollects that since the outbreak of the war 114 soldiers of the Brcko HVO brigade have been killed, 430 wounded, whereas 150 of them become invalids. 161955 MET apr 94