INTERNATIONAL REPS IN MOSTAR:PROPERTY MUST BE RETURNED TO OWNERS

MOSTAR, Nov 3 (Hina) - The regional offices of the High Representative, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and the U.N. Mission in Mostar (southern Bosnia-Herzegovina) on Wednesday called on the governments of both BH entities to immediately start implementing decisions regarding property laws, published on October 27 this year by High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch. According to a joint statement read out at today's news conference in Mostar by the head of the regional OHR in Mostar, Gerhard Sontheim, the illegal possession of other's property will not be tolerated any more. The document further stresses the long-standing serious obstruction of property rights and housing laws and the tacit acceptance by many individuals in the authorities of thousands of illegally occupied homes. The statement calls on the authorities in Croat-dominated areas of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton to assume responsibility in implementing these laws and protect the rights of citizens regardless of their nationality. The mayor of Capljina (south of Mostar), it is said, has to establish a housing office and assume responsibility for implementing housing laws. The authorities in Stolac (south-east of Mostar) have to start dealing with repossession claims. Offices for housing issues also have to be established in all three Croat-dominated Mostar municipalities. The international organisations warn in the statement that failures in implementing the housing laws will not be tolerated. (hina) rml