AKASHI UNHAPPY WITH SERBS ALLOWING ONLY A FEW UNPA GRAVE VISITS

ZAGREB, Nov 1, (Hina) - UN Special Envoy to the Secretary General, Yasushi Akashi, said last night that despite his efforts, Serbs would only allow displaced people to visit a few graves at separation zones on All Saints' Day. "For two years, no such visits have been possible, but with the improved security situation as a result of the maintenance of the 29 March 1994 ceasefire agreement - a small but significant step has been made," Akashi said. "I would have wished that visits tomorrow would have been possible to many more cemeteries both within the Zone of Separation and inside the UNPAs," he said. "A lack of cooperation from the authorities in Knin did not make possible more visits." Akashi described these visits as an important symbolic humanitarian step in creating greater understanding between the parties to this tragic conflict. It was for this reason, he said, that he had instructed UNPROFOR to assist in facilitating symbolic ceremonies (lighting candles and arranging flowers) to take place at the 19 crossing points into the UNPAs on All Saints' Day between 10am and 6pm. (Hina) jn sd 011122 MET nov 94