(9 Jul 1995) English/Nat
Serb forces have overrun two United Nations observation posts in the eastern Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica and detained 15 peacekeepers.
U-N officials said a Dutch soldier was killed when retreating peacekeepers were fired on by Bosnian government troops.
In the latest humiliation for the United Nations in Bosnia, two observation posts were last night (Saturday) overrun as Serb forces pressed home a frontal attack on the so-called Srebrenica safe haven.
The U-N today called in NATO warplanes to buzz the enclave but did not request air strikes.
U-N officials said the detained peacekeepers were not yet being considered hostages.
SOUNDBITE:
"Well, as of this morning we have the death of a soldier from yesterday from one of the southern O-Ps but the other two remaining southern O-Ps - they're improvised observation posts of eight and seven men each known as Uniform and Sierra - they were overrun at seven o'clock last night. One of them then was at their request then taken round the northern side of the enclave to the town of Bratunac. The other O-P, Sierra, is still in position as far as I know, behind Bosnian Serb lines - the Bosnian Serbs have advanced a kilometre or so to the north and they are now behind those lines."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Colonel Gary Coward, United Nations spokesman in Sarajevo
U-N chiefs remained hopeful that the Dutch troops would be released later on today.
SOUNDBITE:
"And I think today we are reasonably optimistic that based on the experience of yesterday the Bosnian Serbs will allow our troops back to join their colleagues in the enclave later today. But we have to wait and see."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Colonel Gary Coward, United Nations spokesman in Sarajevo
Reports from radio hams inside Srebrenica painted an even gloomier picture of the U-N's position following the Serb attack.
They claimed the 12 to 15 peacekeepers taken by Serbs to the town of Bratunac were also being detained.
The radio hams added there were serious food shortages inside the enclave and that three people died of hunger yesterday.
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