Bosnian commander backs Croat rule

Nationalist songs accompanied a protest outside an SFOR base

SARAJEVO, Bosnia -- A key army commander has disbanded his brigade in support of Croat self-rule, delivering a blow to the Bosnian Government.

Commander Tomo Knezevic announced the disbandment at a news conference in Croatia, saying it was due to threats from Bosnia's NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR).

An SFOR spokesman dismissed the allegations and suggested he was bowing to pressure from the Croat separatists.

A self-appointed Croat National Congress said last month that some 8,000 soldiers had left their barracks in support of their call for Croat self-rule in Bosnia -- declared in protest at alleged discrimination against minorities.

Knezevic was one of the few commanders considered loyal to the Muslim-Croat federation that forms part of Bosnia.

Mijo Anic, defence minister of Bosnia's Muslim-Croat federation said: "We were stunned when we saw him on television. He made statements entirely out of character."

The Croat member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, a moderate elected after his predecessor was sacked by Bosnia's top peace overseer for pursuing self-rule, told parliament on Wednesday that many soldiers had not left voluntarily.

Anic said Knezevic had asked for police protection ahead of expected unrest during self-rule demonstrations on Thursday in the northern town of Orasje.

Knezevic said he was under enormous pressure and had planned to move his family after the threats.

The separatist campaign, launched in March, turned violent last Friday when international officials took over a bank believed to be financing it.

Around two dozen peacekeepers and international officials were injured by rioting Croats, some were taken hostage for several hours and one was threatened with execution.

On Tuesday, a bomb damaged the car and house of a moderate Croat minister. The minister blamed the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) that is leading the self-rule moves. The party denied it.

SFOR spokesman Lieutenant Lars Anderson said reports that SFOR has threatened and blackmailed Croat commanders were untrue.

"No one should underestimate the pressure put on the commanders not to support Anic. SFOR considers it intolerable," he added.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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