---

67-Year-Old Tests New Transport to Suburbs
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Though the bus was escorted by NATO troops, fear prevented all but one curious passenger from riding it to the capital’s devastated former front-line suburbs. The trip was the first in an ambitious plan to link Bosnian neighborhoods and cities, divided by almost four years of war, by a network of bus routes. But the sole passenger on Friday’s inaugural ride was Voja, a 67-year-old Serb refugee from the Sarajevo suburb of Ilidza. He asked that last name not be used for fear of reprisals against relatives in Sarajevo.

Fear is a huge factor preventing people from visiting territory controlled by former battlefield foes. But Voja apparently decided to take the risk. “He screwed up his courage and got on the bus,” said Kris Janowski, a spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, which is funding the bus service.

Freedom of travel, promised in the Dayton peace agreement, remains elusive in Bosnia. In the past two weeks, three refugees have been killed and dozens wounded by mobs blocking them from crossing former front lines to visit cemeteries or homes in territory lost to the other side in the war. Voja wasn’t trying to go anywhere. He just wanted to see what the city looked like on the other side. He didn’t get off the bus until it arrived back on its circular route near the refugee center that is now his home.

“I haven’t seen the city for four years,” Voja said.

Berserkistan is a world news service of Michael Linder Productions, Inc.
©1995-1996, All Rights Reserved