Serb Rules Keep Croats, Muslims on Short Leash

Serbian authorities have imposed tight restrictions on Croats and Muslims under their control, according to newly obtained documents.

A three-page declaration by the Serbian “war presidency,” issued last month in the northern Bosnian town of Celinac, is typical of orders issued in many Bosnian towns where ethnic minorities are largely cut off from the outside world, U.N. refugee officials said.

Here are some excerpts from that document:

Article 1: Due to the fighting on the territory of the Celinac Municipality and the area, there are well-founded reasons for the determination of a special status of the non-Serbian population, with clearly defined rights, commitments and responsibilities. . . .

Article 4: Citizens of Article 1 are allowed to leave the territory of the Municipality, provided their relocation is organized and is the relocation of the entire family, and that the local authorities provide them with the appropriate travel documents and a free passage.

Article 5: Citizens of Article 1 are, until further notice:

* Not allowed to move around the town from 1600 (4 p.m.) to 0600 (6 a.m.),

* Not allowed to stay in the street, in restaurants and other public places,

* Not allowed to swim in the rivers Vrbanja and Josevica, to fish and hunt,

* Not allowed to travel to other towns without appropriate authorization of the authorities,

* Not allowed to possess any firearms, regardless of whether they have the necessary permits,

* Not allowed to use or drive motor vehicles,

* Not allowed to be in groups bigger than three,

* Not allowed to communicate without authorization with relatives who are not citizens of the Celinac Municipality,

* Not allowed to use telephone facilities except for a post office telephone,

* Not allowed to wear any uniforms (military, police, forest guard),

* Not allowed to sell real estate or exchange apartments without a special authorization of the municipal authorities.

Article 6: Citizens of Article 1 are obliged to respond to the tasks of compulsory work, and to be disciplined and in no way put disgrace on the battle of the Serbian people for their liberty. They are also obliged to show solidarity with the poor of their own nationality. . . . The citizens are obliged to care for a certain number of cattle, if requested by the army.

Article 7: Citizens of Article 2--evaluated as individuals who have been carrying out negative activities and have been exposed in various ways--are also not allowed to establish any contact with their neighbors or walk outdoors from 0000 hours to 2400 hours (around the clock) unless called up for work. . . .

Article 10: Disrespect of this decision will have consequences in accordance with valid regulations.

Article 11: Implementation of this decision will be carried out by the Celinac police station and other authorities of the Municipality.