MEMORANDUM ON UNDERSTANDING SIGNED FOR CENTRAL BOSNIA CANTON

TRAVNIK, Apr 15 (Hina) - A Memorandum on Understanding was signed in the central Bosnian town of Travnik on Thursday by representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Central Bosnia Canton, and the municipalities of Jajce, Uskoplje, Vitez, and Fojnica. According to the memorandum, the USAID will this year invest around DM8 million in the said municipalities, thus bringing USAID's total investment into Central Bosnia Canton to DM68 million since the signing of the Dayton peace agreement. USAID director for Bosnia, Craig Buck, said the money would mainly be invested in power and water supply systems and the reconstruction of other infrastructure. We will invest the most in settlements getting ready for so called minority returns, Buck reminded. He pointed out the return of Bosnian Muslims to Jajce had stepped up. The U.S. will resolutely support via the USAID investments in small businesses. Buck said DM18 million had been invested to date, resulting in some 3,000 new jobs. The memorandum on understanding will also be signed by U.S. ambassador to Bosnia, Richard Kauzlarich who, according to reports, was not in attendance today due to an urgent call to Washington. (hina) ha jn