(12 Feb 1997) English/Nat
NATO soldiers toughened patrols around the town of Mostar Wednesday, dismantling illegal checkpoints and seizing weapons.
Official reports claim more Muslims had been evicted overnight from the western, Croat-held side of the city.
It was not disclosed how many.
Mostar is one of the most war-battered towns in Bosnia.
Divided among Croats and Muslims, peace there is key to the Dayton peace agreement.
On Monday trouble flared when Croats, including policemen, threw stones and then opened fire on 200 Muslims trying to visit graves on the Croat side.
One man was killed and 20 other people were injured.
As a result, about 100 Muslims were evicted from their homes on the Croat side that evening.
If the two groups continue to be unable to co-operate, there is little chance the federation will work.
If the federation fails, there is almost no chance that joint republic-wide institutions that include Serbs, their wartime enemies, can function.
Bosnian leaders and many international observers accuse Croat warlords in Mostar of trying to keep the city divided.
They know if the federation succeeds they will lose power.
Arriving in Mostar, the E-U administrator to the region was keeping tight-lipped as to the progress he expects to make.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm sorry, I've got nothing to say at the moment. I'm tired. Back to England and straight back."
SUPERCAPTION: Sir Martin Garrod, E-U Administrator to Mostar
A U-N police spokesman said that under an agreement reached by all sides, those who had been expelled from their homes this week must be returned home by the end of the week.
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