Bosnia - Peace In Brcko

(25 Nov 1995) T/I: 10:09:49 The peace accord initialled in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday (21/11) has left unresolved the status of Brcko, a river port in north-east Bosnia. A bridge that once linked Brcko with Croatian territory across the Sava River was destroyed during the conflict: its ruins are a visible symbol of the region's suffering. But, despite the uncertainty about the future, on Friday afternoon (24/11) locals expressed both their relief and their hope that the future will be peaceful. An elderly man said: "Thank God peace is coming," while two younger soldiers said peace was anxiously awaited by all. Schools and nurseries in Brcko have re-opened their doors, and traffic on the streets is returning to its normal volume. SHOWS: BRCKO, NORTHERN BOSNIA 24/11 Destroyed bridge over the river Sava dividing Serb-controlled land and Croatia GVs snow on bridge Brcko town and speed limit signs Ducks on river Brcko street scenes - looking quiet People on the streets Market in Brcko, people shopping Young man expresses support for peace (speaking in Serbo-Croat): "I was so surprised. I couldn't believe it could happen. I'm very happy now." Second man (in Serbo-Croat) SOT: "All of us, Serbs, Muslims and Croats are fed up with this war and all three sides are very happy." Older man, a pensioner, SOT (in Serbo-Croat): "Now we have to start to work and come out of this poverty. We have been living in poverty too long. I am a pensioner and all of us have been living in poverty too long." Sign saying "Serb Republic" outside school Children sitting in class Children writing word MIR (peace) on the blackboard in Serb-held Part of Brcko Children outside and across the road Children leaving school buildings More GVs of Brcko showing Bosnian-held areas Bridge over city Another view of bridge under snow 2.54 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...