(9 Oct 1995) Serbo Croat/Eng/French
As the deadline approaches for power and water to be restored to the besieged city of Sarajevo, many residents say they doubt it will happen in time.
The restoration of utilities is a condition of the ceasefire, due to take effect at midnight.
Work began early this morning in Sarajevo on returning utilities to the besieged city.
But with hours to go until the deadline, many fear it won't happen in time.
Under the terms of the latest U-S backed peace agreement a ceasefire will come into effect at midnight (local time) tonight.
But it's dependent on utilities being restored by that time.
And that's looking increasingly unlikely, according to the head of the electrical company.
Both local engineers and the U-N blame technical difficulties for the delay.
Urgent work's continuing in the streets of Sarajevo, in particular, along the notorious Snipers' Alley.
Engineers there are preparing tram-lines so that public transport can start up again.
Trams haven't run along this street since May after it was targetted by Serb snipers.
Gas is piped from Russia through Hungary , Serbia and Serb-held Bosnia before it arrives in Sarajevo.
Gas engineers doubt that tonight's deadline can be met, but say power will be restored - eventually.
SOUNDBITE
I think that the U-N and the other nations who supported us in this action will help to return gas to our city again.
SUPER CAPTION Gas Worker
Residents are becoming increasingly pessimistic about an end to the fighting.
SOUNDBITE
I doubt the ceasefire will happen. I cannot believe that those criminals who were killing old people, women and children, all of them innocent will not continue doing that.
SUPER CAPTION Sarajevo Resident
But engineers working on the electricity supply say they're on target.
SOUNDBITE
We are ready, all the installations are ready and now it all depends on the agreement.
SUPER CAPTION Electrical Engineer
But attacks on a refugee camp and a village have led to fears that a ceasefire will stick.
SOUNDBITE Vox Pop
Well, I have a little doubt about that especially after what happened in Zivinice and Tesanjka yesterday.
SUPER CAPTION Sarajevo Resident
People have been taking advantage of quiet conditions in Sarajevo to shop and get water.
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