BOSNIAN ARMY ADVANCES TOWARDS SERB STRONGHOLDS NEAR KONJIC

SARAJEVO, Sept 16 (Hina) - Fighting has declined at most of Bosnia's battlefields in the past 24 hours, except for Konjic (50 km S. of Sarajevo) where the Bosnian army is still gaining ground against Serb forces, an UNPROFOR news conference in Sarajevo was told today. UN spokesman, Major Koos Sol, said Serb forces retaliated by shelling Konjic. Sarajevo radio reports also said today that Bosnian army troops were advancing towards the fortified Serb strongholds of Glavaticevo and Jelinici. According to further radio reports, Croatian Defence Council (HVO) units positioned in this area today handed their positions to the Bosnian army, along with some weaponry. This was confirmed by the UNPROFOR spokesman who added that 200 HVO troops and 50 Croatian civilians were withdrawing from the area. Fighting was continuing in western Bosnia, but less intense than in the last two weeks. UNPROFOR confirmed yesterday's attack by Serbs on British troops in the Gorazde area, where a British patrol was caught in the crossfire. The patrol returned fire and withdrew without losses. UNPROFOR also confirmed that downtown Sarajevo yesterday came under fire from a Serb stronghold at the Jewish cemetery. Sarajevo is today without power, gas and water. (hina) mm as sd 161447 MET sep 94