BANJA LUKA BISHOP ADDRESSES ROME CONFERENCE

SARAJEVO, Jan 29 (Hina) - Speaking at an international meeting in Rome, Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica called on Europe and countries in the region to eliminate the sources of conflicts and crises in the Balkans and protect human rights of all, regardless of their nationality or religion, the Catholic Press Agency (KTA) reported. Some 70 representatives from 22 European countries, including Croatia and Bosnia, and Canada and the Vatican, discussed the problem of the Balkans within an international seminar on dialogue, held in Rome between January 24 and 28. The seminar was organised by the European Commission and held under the auspices of Italian President Carlo Ciampi. Introduced by the organiser of the event as a representative of all deprived of their rights, Komarica addressed problems such as stability in the region, reconciliation, return and reconstruction. "It is necessary today, more than ever, to make a significant and good step toward eliminating the sources of crises and conflicts," Komarica said, calling for concrete, determined and consistent guaranteeing of human rights and freedoms, not only for individuals but for ethnic and religious communities as well. Komarica stressed the importance of reconciliation for the establishment of true stability in the region. Speaking about the right to return, the bishop criticised "the visible lack of political readiness, both of international representatives, to implement what they have agreed on at various peace conferences, as well as of domestic politicians, who are continually obstructing the return of so-called 'minority peoples.'" Komarica agreed though that "the current High Representative has offered hope with decisions made in the last couple of months that the year 2000 will really be the year of return for many." Expressing gratitude to EU governments for the assistance given to Bosnia-Herzegovina and the region so far, Komarica asked them to continue providing it. (hina) rml