WASHINGTON, Mar 4 (Hina) - The deputy spokesman of the U.S. Department of State James Foley on Thursday said a decision on the status of Brcko, a contentious town in north-eastern Bosnia, would be brought soon. Responding to
reporters, Foley reminded the exclusive right to the decision lay with Ambassador Robert Owen, to whose arbitration in the matter both Bosnian Serbs and the government of the Croat-Muslim Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina had agreed. Foley did not wish to prejudge how the status of Brcko will be solved, but reminded that Owen last March said the town might be proclaimed a neutral district. The State Department spokesman recalled that conclusions reached on March 15, 1998 said the Bosnian Serb entity had to make significant progress in the refugee return process in order to maintain control over Brcko. Since that kind of progress has not been made, it is to be ex
WASHINGTON, Mar 4 (Hina) - The deputy spokesman of the U.S.
Department of State James Foley on Thursday said a decision on the
status of Brcko, a contentious town in north-eastern Bosnia, would
be brought soon.
Responding to reporters, Foley reminded the exclusive right to the
decision lay with Ambassador Robert Owen, to whose arbitration in
the matter both Bosnian Serbs and the government of the Croat-
Muslim Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina had agreed.
Foley did not wish to prejudge how the status of Brcko will be
solved, but reminded that Owen last March said the town might be
proclaimed a neutral district.
The State Department spokesman recalled that conclusions reached
on March 15, 1998 said the Bosnian Serb entity had to make
significant progress in the refugee return process in order to
maintain control over Brcko.
Since that kind of progress has not been made, it is to be expected
the town will be given special status, Foley said.
Asked if this meant Brcko would not be given to the Bosnian
Federation, Foley avoided a specific answer, reiterating only the
decision would be brought independently by Ambassador Owen.
(hina) ha