MOSTAR, Oct 25 (Hina) - Local authorities in the southern Bosnian municipalities of Capljina and Stolac have violated a decision of the Office of High Representative (OHR) banning the allocation of building lots by granting such lots
for the construction of new settlements called "Bobanovo" and "Suskovo".
MOSTAR, Oct 25 (Hina) - Local authorities in the southern Bosnian
municipalities of Capljina and Stolac have violated a decision of
the Office of High Representative (OHR) banning the allocation of
building lots by granting such lots for the construction of new
settlements called "Bobanovo" and "Suskovo". #L#
A spokeswoman for the Mostar-based regional office of the OHR on
Friday said the local municipalities breached the decision.
After the war, settlements were built near the towns of Capljina and
Stolac for displaced Croats who fled central Bosnia. They are named
after the late Mate Boban, a local Croat leader and the president of
the one-time Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, and after the late
Gojko Susak, Croatia's defence minister in 1990s.
According to some media reports, the two settlements were
constructed on land owned by Serbs or Bosniaks (Muslims) before the
war.
Spokeswoman Avis Benes said the OHR had no documentation on the
ownership of the land. She, however, explained that in case the land
was owned by local municipalities, local authorities violated the
law, given that they allocated the building lots without the
knowledge of the OHR. In case the land is privately owned, this will
cause additional problems.
According to local media, houses in the settlements in question
could be sealed if it is proved that they are on land owned by Serbs
or Bosniaks.
Benes said the OHR was currently undertaking no moves, but nothing
should be ruled out in the future.
(hina) ms