SARAJEVO, Jan 29 (Hina) - Germany will continue to take efforts to return as many Bosnian refugees as possible to their homeland, said Hans Koschnik, the German Government's special envoy in charge of the reconstruction of
Bosnia-Herzegovina and of the return of Bosnian refugees who had temporary accommodation in Germany. After the Social Democrat Party's victory at German election last year, Koschnik was appointed to this office at the beginning of last December. But he could not commence with his duties in Bosnia before due to his health problems. At his first news conference in Sarajevo on Friday, Koschnik recalled that about 100,000 Bosnian refugees were still in Germany, and stressed that only a small part of them would be allowed to stay in his country. The Kohl government had taken the stand that refugees should come back home, and the changes in the German government did
SARAJEVO, Jan 29 (Hina) - Germany will continue to take efforts to
return as many Bosnian refugees as possible to their homeland, said
Hans Koschnik, the German Government's special envoy in charge of
the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina and of the return of
Bosnian refugees who had temporary accommodation in Germany.
After the Social Democrat Party's victory at German election last
year, Koschnik was appointed to this office at the beginning of last
December. But he could not commence with his duties in Bosnia before
due to his health problems.
At his first news conference in Sarajevo on Friday, Koschnik
recalled that about 100,000 Bosnian refugees were still in Germany,
and stressed that only a small part of them would be allowed to stay
in his country.
The Kohl government had taken the stand that refugees should come
back home, and the changes in the German government did not alter
this stand, he told reporters.
According to Koschnik, about 35,000 Bosnian refugees have left
Germany for third countries such as the United States, Canada and
Australia.
He predicted the number could rise as the United States expressed
readiness to accept 50,000 Bosnian refugees for the permanent
accommodation.
Koschnik said that in the coming period he would hold talks with
representatives of all political structures in Bosnia on creation
of conditions for the speedy return of Bosnian refugees.
He added that German companies would like to invest in Bosnia being
sure that they would thereby help to create new jobs for returnees.
He announced the financial backing of his government to the areas
which will stimulate the return of those who were made homeless
during the war. However, Koschnik could not say the exact amount of
money which the Bonn government will give to Bosnia this year.
(hina) jn ms
o