FIERCE FIGHTING IN NORTHERN AND WESTERN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Nov 8 (Hina) - Fighting has stepped up in northern Bosnia since yesterday, particularly around Doboj and Gradacac and in the Sava River valley, an UNPROFOR press conference heard today. UN spokesman in Sarajevo, Tim Spicer, said the Bosnian army had gained ground in the Gradacac area and in the Sava valley, but could not specify how far. The Serbs launched several counter-attacks, but managed to regain only a small part of the lost territory, he said. According to Spicer, Serb attacks in the Doboj area may be an act of retaliation for successful Bosnian infantry operations. Croatian Defence Council (HVO) and Bosnian army troops pressed the Serbs back for another two to three kms W. of the Bugojno-Livno road. The Bosanska Krupa area in western Bosnia was still the scene of heavy fighting. According to Col. Spicer, the situation was uncertain and UN observers could not say for sure who was controlling the town. Clashes between Bosnian army and Serb troops were also recorded along the Bosnian-Croatian border, S. of Kulen Vakuf, the same source said. (hina) as 081409 MET nov 94