Negotiations leave Serbian refugees stranded

August 26, 1995

KNIN, Croatia (CNN) -- Some 700 Serb refugees are trapped in Knin, Croatia, kept from leaving the city in Krajina by the Croatian government.

The Croatians are refusing to allow the refugees safe passage while they negotiate with the United Nations over the release of 62 refugees suspected of war crimes.

"The situation seems deadlocked," said Canadian General Alain Forand, the local U.N. commander of the military sector in Knin.

The refugees fled to the U.N headquarters at Knin on August 4 when Croatia began shelling the Serb stronghold. The group remains at the U.N. while the two sides -- Croatia and the United Nations -- negotiate.

The United Nations asked for a list of the refugees suspected of war crimes along with specifics of the accusations against them. But on August 24, the Croatians provided them with a list that contained only names and dates of birth. U.N. headquarters in Zagreb is now studying the matter.

Meanwhile, the refugees wait. "I don't know if I'm on the lists but if there were such people (war criminals) then they are long gone," said one refugee.

Negotiations leave Serbian refugees stranded

| INDEX | SEARCH | MAIN WORLD NEWS PAGE | MAIN BOSNIA PAGE |