SARAJEVO, Dec 17 (Hina) - The Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, appealed to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday to take urgent steps to remove roadblocks across the country and ensure unobstructed
celebrations of Christmas.
SARAJEVO, Dec 17 (Hina) - The Archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal
Vinko Puljic, appealed to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina on
Wednesday to take urgent steps to remove roadblocks across the
country and ensure unobstructed celebrations of Christmas. #L#
In the appeal carried by the Catholic Press Agency (KTA), Puljic
said that unpleasant scenes of workers, farmers and pensioners
seeking their rights in the streets and at border crossings were
happening again at Christmas time.
Stressing that he fully understood the plight of ordinary people
and reasons of their protests, the archbishop warned that
roadblocks were affecting the Croats and Catholics in Bosnia-
Herzegovina who wanted to celebrate the forthcoming holidays in
peace and in the circle of their families.
Puljic urged the authorities to ensure that the protesters were
granted their entitlements and thus help stabilise the situation in
the country.
The border crossings at Doljani in the southwest and Orasje in the
north have been blocked for days by former members of the Croat
Defence Council (HVO) who demand their pensions. The protest at
Orasje also includes tobacco growers who seek their bonuses for
2002.
Meanwhile, teachers are on strike in most secondary schools in the
Sarajevo area, demanding higher pay.
(hina) vm sb