Army medics hard at work in Bosnia

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian medical detachment sent last month to join the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) has begun humanitarian operations in war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The 219-member detachment is providing medical aid to UNPROFOR soldiers and Bosnian refugees, Armed Forces (ABRI) Headquarters announced yesterday.

Indonesia has sent troopers as observers and medical workers to the former Yugoslavia.

Led by Lt. Col. Heridadi, the medical detachment under the Garuda XIV contingent banner arrived in Bosnia a couple of weeks after a 60-person advance team.

The Indonesian medical workers are stationed in four areas accommodating some 80,000 Bosnian refugees.

The government has turned down calls by various local Moslem organizations to send combat troops to help UNPROFOR protect Bosnians facing ethnic cleansing by Serbs.

A total of 40,000 troops from various countries have joined the UN protection force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (rms)