(17 Oct 1995) Serbo-Croat/Nat
As the U-N on Tuesday struggled to get aid through to the besieged enclave of Gorazde, Bosnian government troops began to remove weaponry from the frontline.
In a much-needed confidence-building measure, Bosnian government field guns were driven away from emplacements overlooking the Serb-held town of Turnovo - crucial to the defence of Serb positions around Gorazde.
A Bosnian government gun crew takes a last look at the village of Turnovo.
The Bosnian Serb-held village has long been in the sights of their artillery based on the strategically-important Mt. Treskavica.
But the guns were silent Tuesday as diplomatic efforts continued to free a supply route into Gorazde.
Gorazde has been under siege by the Serbs for most of the three and a half years of the conflict. Turnovo is vital to the defence of Serb positions around the besieged town.
By withdrawing their strategically-placed artillery, Bosnian government troops hope to kickstart stalled negotiations aimed at finally opening a road into Gorazde - a key element of the U-S brokered peace plan.
U-N soldiers have worked five days to clear mines from the road into Gorazde. But early efforts to get an aid convoy into the town Tuesday were frustrated by Bosnian Serbs along the route.
Government soldiers based on Mt. Treskavica are hopeful that the ceasefire will hold. But years of fighting have taught them to contain undue optimism:
SOUNDBITE (Serbo-croat): I trust nobody but myself and my gun.
SUPER CAPTION: Bosnian government soldier
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat): I hope the ceasefire will work out and that all the leaders put their signatures to it.
SUPERCAPTION: Bosnian government soldier
Despite pulling back the guns, the troops here on the mountain remain on alert.
A steady column of pack mules laden with supplies make their way up the mountain paths - just in case the ceasefire crumbles like so many of its predecessors.
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