GERMAN COMMISSIONER VISITS MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Feb 17 (Hina) - There are currently 70,000 to 90,000 refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina in Germany, out of which more than two-thirds have fled from the Bosnian Serb republic, German Government's commissioner in charge of the return of Bosnian refugees accommodated in Germany, Hans Koschnik, said in Mostar on Wednesday after talks with the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ante Jelavic. One of his tasks, Koschnik said, was to contribute to the return of Croats and Bosniaks (Moslems) to Republika Srpska. Jelavic's advisor for the implementation of Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreement, which regulates the return of refugees and social issues, Damir Ljubic, told reporters Koschnik had been asked to personally advocate that refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina return from Germany to their home town in Republika Srpska. Jelavic warned Koschnik about 400,000 Bosniaks exiled from Republika Srpska were currently in the Bosnian Federation, Ljubic said. He added that if the return process was not expedited this year, it could have long-term repercussions for the implementation of the overall return process and the internal order of the Bosnian Federation, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina. During his stay in Mostar, Koschnik will meet the head of the High Representative's Regional Office in Mostar, Richard Ellerckman, Mayor Ivan Prskalo and his deputy Safet Orucevic. He announced he would discuss the return of refugees with German Government officials, and would call on the European Commission to provide financial assistance for the return of Bosnian refugees. (hina) lml