Prisoner Exchange Gives Hope In Bosnia

Shelling shook northwest Bosnia on Friday, but a prisoner exchange between Serbs and the government provided a small sign of hope for an increasingly fragile truce.

“I have a feeling like I am born again,” said Fahrudin Salkanovic, 38, one of the freed Muslim POWs.

The prisoners - 49 from each side - were released at opposite ends of Sarajevo’s Brotherhood and Unity bridge, which lies between territory held by the Muslim-led government and its foe, the Bosnian Serbs.

The first man across was an injured Serb released by his Muslim captors to Red Cross officials, who escorted him to waiting comrades.

The remaining prisoners traveled in armored personnel carriers across the bridge, once one of Sarajevo’s hottest front lines, said Red Cross spokeswoman Nina Winquist.