KOSCHNIK: QUARTER OF ASSISTANCE FOR BOSNIA TO GO TO KOSOVO

SARAJEVO, Feb 16 (Hina) - Special envoy of the German Government for the return of refugees and reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hans Koschnik, said in Sarajevo on Tuesday western countries would have to redirect some of the assistance intended for Bosnia- Herzegovina to Kosovo. At a news conference in Sarajevo Koschnik said it was evident that West Europe and the United States. I expect concrete talks to begin in Brussels, and my estimate is that 25 per cent of planned assistance for Bosnia-Herzegovina could be redirected to Kosovo, Koschnik said. He stressed western countries would have to fully fulfil promises about assistance to Bosnia-Herzegovina given at the signing of the Dayton Agreement. Koschnik said these were not just resources necessary for the reconstruction of the country and its economy, but also for the consolidation of democratic institutions and society. During the past two weeks, Koschnik held talks with several Bosnian officials about the possibilities of return of between 70,000 and 90,000 refugees currently accommodated in Germany. Two thirds of them lived in the now Bosnian Serb republic before the war. I told everybody we expect local politicians to oppose discrimination with their actions, Koschnik said. He added he wished to spur Germany companies to re-establish cooperation with their partners in Bosnia-Herzegovina in order for conditions to be created for sustainable return. Koschnik announced a group of German business people would soon arrive in Bosnia-Herzegovina to that goal. (hina) lml mm