MOSTAR OHR CRITICISES MUSLIM AUTHORITIES IN EASTERN PART OF TOWN

MOSTAR, June 29 (Hina) - The regional Office of the High Representative (OHR) to Bosnia-Herzegovina in Mostar on Tuesday severely criticised the authorities in eastern (Muslim-dominated) part of the town for stalling the implementation of an agreement on refugee return. The agreement, or rather, its annexes, envisage the vacating of 31 Croat houses in eastern Mostar, which are currently occupied by Muslim refugees. The deadline for this task expired in January this year. In a statement issued today, the OHR in Mostar dismissed recent claims by Deputy Mayor Safet Orucevic who said the Office had not fulfilled its obligations as envisaged by the agreement on refugee return. The OHR also accused the authorities in eastern Mostar of disregarding the procedure established by the international community in providing refugee accommodation in a transit settlement in eastern Mostar. So far, this is the most severe act of criticism against the local Muslim authorities. After the signing of the Dayton agreement, the criticism of western representatives was mostly directed against the Croat authorities in the town. (hina) rml