(14 May 1995) Natural Sound

It was a day of reunion in the Bosnian town of Turbe, Sunday - but not through choice.

170 Bosnian Muslims from surrounding areas of Serb-held Banja Luka - were removed by Serbs and sent to Turbe which is Bosnian held territory.

The expulsion is being seen as Serb revenge for the Croatian offensive in Western Slavonia.

This tattered bus bears 170 more temporary residents to the town of Turbe:

Bosnian Muslims from several towns around Banja Luka are on board - they are being handed over to the Bosnian government authorities.

Many are being reunited with families and friends who have also been expelled from Serb-held territory.

The group included several men of fighting age.

As a precaution against linking up with Bosnian government troops these men were escorted off the bus by Serbs.

Serb and Bosnian government officials are only present at such handovers when either bodies dead soldiers or prisoners or war are sent across the border.

It was a welcome and tearful reunion for most.

For some - it wasn't an easy journey: several elderly people had to be helped out of the bus as they had difficulty walking.

For now - the Bosnian Muslims will stay in refugee centres - perhaps not as comfortable as home, but for the time being they're in safer territory.

Their expulsion comes in the wake of an incident outside Banja Luka in which a Roman Catholic priest and a nun died after a bomb exploded in the Presenaca church - the fourth church to be destroyed in the area in two weeks.

It appeared to be Serb revenge for a recent Croatian offensive in Western Slavonia to recapture land held by rebel Serbs.

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