IFOR AFSOUTH TRANSCRIPT 11 Mar 1996

In the interest of speed transcripts of IFOR press briefings are issued in unedited format Transcript of the Press Briefing Held on 11 March 96 By the IFOR Spokesman, Maj. Simon Haselock, UKA At the Sarajevo Coalition Press Information Center You will be delighted to know that I have a very short statement to make based on some of the incidents that have occurred over the last day. Nothing major to report. However, I will just give you a quick run through of the most notable events in the divisional areas. In MND (N) they continue to supervise the destruction o [...] tense with a number of houses on fire, particularly in Ilidza. Operations to protect electrical and water facilities, escort activities and monitoring of mineclearing, etc. is still ongoing on as you know. French troops have rescued a number of people from burning houses and we have some French soldiers here this morning who after question time will come and talk to you and you can talk to them about what their experiences were in that regard. The fire truck from Hrasinca has continued to assist with firefighting over night in Ilidza and the Grbavica fire truck has also now agreed to attend fires in that suburb.

In MND(SW) yesterday morning there was another worrisome indication of tension between Croat and Bosnian policemen when it was identified that 2 groups of BIH police intended to occupy Kulen Vakuf. The action resulted in a stand off between HVO and BIH on the river. After negotiations led jointly by IPTF and MND(SW) they came to a short term agreement. The HVO will withdraw back to barracks in Gornji [...] fire in Mrkonjic Grad, we mentioned yesterday, is still very seriously ill but is now being evacuated to a hospital in Germany. Just one parish announcement, the Pale Press conference tomorrow will take place. I understand that a venue has been agreed upon but that is still to be confirmed. I think that maybe Col. Kirkwood maybe have something to say about it afterwards. A. Ivanko: the situation remains tense in Ilidza and Grbavica with the UN International Police reporting numerous houses being burned down. In Ilidza, for example, the IPTF is reporting approximately two dozen fires. There is also reporting groups of thugs that are threatening to those people who wish to remain in the area. Robberies and intimidations are also being reported. Currently the Serb police is not responding to any complaints either coming from IPTF or from the local population. At 2200 hrs yesterday an explosion occurred outside the IPTF Ilidza station as a result of a tear gas canister thrown out of a moving vehicle. No injuries or damage was reported. In Grbavica the situation is described as one of great anxiety and tension. Gangs run through the area threatening people, especially the elderly. In response to the current law and order problems in Ilidza and Grbavica the UN International Police is deploying additional monitors. Today as of 1200 hrs a 180 policemen will patrol the area both on foot and in vehicles. The transfer of police authority in Ilidza will commence tomorrow morning with 90 federation police entering the area. They are currently being interviewed and accredited by the UN International Police. Thank you. Q: do you have the composition of the force of the federation police? A. Ivanko: not yet. I will probably have it later this afternoon, and if you can give me a call I will tell you. Q: Tom, could you tell us the nationality or someone tell us the nationality of those troops who were injured in the latest two incidents.

Maj Moyer: well, the female soldier was definitely an American and British engineer. Q: with an increased police force in Grbavica, will the IPTF be patrolling at night in all areas in Grbavica? A. Ivanko: yes, we plan to patrol 24hrs a day. Q: do you coordinate when you go on patrol, do you coordinate with IFOR that you have backup? A. Ivanko: yes there is coordina [...] erit: (self introduction)... since Wednesday evening my platoon patrolled the town on the area of Ilidza and our main task is to assume the security of the IPTF and in the same time to approve to the people that are living there that there is a military presence in this area. Many times, for the first time on the Wednesday evening, we were witness of fires in buildings before the arriv [...] oke a glass to go down and we rescued two people, a man and his wife, by this way. Then firemen from the airport came and they rescued 20 of the people from this building. Last night I was in Ilidza too on the firemen from Hrasnica, who were Muslim firemen. They went to extinguish four fires in tme of the people that they helped out of the houses were not even aware that there was a fire. In regards to some of the constructions and the buildings, the fire propagates really quickly, and that in itself makes it even harder or more difficult for them to actually find the fires and the people especially. The greatest concern was to ensure that the people - lives, more than belongings - were out of the house at that time. Our purpose is to keep an eye out for these type of elements, just to make sure that people are safe. We are ready to take questions. These people are on the ground every day and will be in Grbavica later on, and in the weeks to follow. They have been in Ilijas before that. If you have any questions I think this is a great time. Q: in your patrols around Ilidza and Grbavica what have you done when you have seen people who are clearly starting fires? Lt Merit: if I see someone starting fire the IPTF don't have powers to arrest? Lt Merit: I was witness of no such event.

Lt Fauteux (Translating for Lt Merit): he didn't actually see any fires being started...never had to resor Lt Fauteux (Translating for the French Sergeant): if IPTF were not given the power it obviously is not a decision that I should comment at my level. Q: you say that you have rescued some people out of burning buildings but have you witnessed some people you have not managed to safe. I mean, are there reports of people dying inside these various fires? Lt Merit: for the eve [...] chi here from the ARRC, he is our resident attorney, just to clarify a point on the power of detention. I'll turn it over to him real quick and he can explain it to you. Maj Fuchi: the question of detention came up and I think it needs to be clearer for everyone here that all IFOR soldiers from the start, under the Peace Agreement have had the authority and still have the authority to detain and turn over to appropriate authorities. Q: Who are the appropriate authorities in this case if the Serb police are no longer there? Maj Fuchi: that is an issue that we are sorting out right now. Q: ...inaudible...offences... Maj Fuchi: normally what we are talking about here are Offences involving threat to life, seri [..] That I know of, arson is a crime. Even if a guy is setting his own shop on fire and there happen to be ten other apartments in the building, he is committing a crime of arson as soon as those flames go to an joining unit. Can you comment on that? Maj Fuchi: let's back this up a bit. Lets look at the whole thing in context. I just said earlier that IFOR soldiers do have the power and the authority to detain. But you have to look at it in context of the overall peace plan in the mission. Remember, we are talking about supporting the IPTF. It is their primary mission. So we have to look at it in the context. Arson, is it a serious crime? Obviously it is and it can threaten life, but it just depends on the context, the commanders authority on the ground, what he can afford to offer for support and the like. But let's not forget the ground roles here that everyone has been telling you from the start.

Q: so what is your legal advice to any soldier who see somebody setting a building on fire. Maj Fichi: well, it is going to depend on circumstances. But right now, we would tell them to detain them if we can find them before they do it or we know that they are the ones that are doing it. Thank you