BOSNIA: SARAJEVO: COMMANDER OF UN FORCES THREATENS AIR STRIKES скачать в хорошем качестве

BOSNIA: SARAJEVO: COMMANDER OF UN FORCES THREATENS AIR STRIKES

(24 May 1995) English/Nat The commander of U-N forces in Bosnia has threatened both Bosnian government forces and rebel Serbs with air strikes. Lieutenant-General Rupert Smith demanded that both sides stop fighting and that Serb forces return heavy weapons removed from U-N depots by 10:00 GMT tomorrow (Thursday). Heavy mortar and artillery fire sent civilians, journalists and UN-soldiers scurrying for cover. The heavy-weapon exclusion zone around the city was clearly being ignored. Four people are reported dead and 20 injured. Late in the afternoon, a U-N compound at the Bosnian television building was hit by a rocket, slightly injuring three U-N soldiers. Observers have described today's shelling as one of the worst days in the city. U-N soldiers rushed to the compound, used mainly to store vehicles and other technical equipment. According to the latest information, the buildings which are next to the Bosnian T-V building was hit by a rocket. U-N fire fighters tried to douse the flames and find out if anybody was trapped underneath the debris. The force of the blast shattered the front of the buildings, tearing part of the roof off and bending supporting metal beams. French soldiers started to inspect the site for pieces of the projectile. Officially heavy weapons are not allowed within a 15 mile radius of the city but today's shelling clearly demonstrated that both sides in this conflict are ignoring the agreement. U-N soldiers could observe as Bosnian troops and Serbian rebels exchanged mortar fire on the hills overlooking the city. Latest reports were that two people were killed and at least 16 injured in the shelling. The injured were taken to the Kosovo hospital for treatment. The latest round of shelling in Sarajevo forced the U-N commander Lieutenant-General Rupert Smith to issue a stern warning. SOUNDBITE: In view of these grave circumstances and with intent of stabilising the situation all heavy weapons, as previously defined, are to cease firing and, the four heavy weapons removed from the Osijek and Poljinjia weapons collection points are to be returned by 1200 hours local Thursday 25th of May 1995. All remaining weapons are to be cleared from the heavy weapons exclusion zone or in collection points by 1200 hours local time on Friday 26th of May 1995. Failure to comply with either deadline will result in the offending party or parties being attacked from the air. SUPER CAPTION:Lieutenant-General Rupert Smith, U-N force Commander Bosnia The intense clashes broke out Wednesday in Debelo Brdo, a heavily fortified hillside south of downtown Sarajevo, leaving civilian houses burning in its wake. This family had to evacuate their house, trying desperately to save their few personal belongings. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...