CROAT REFUGEES IN DRVAR PROTEST DECISION ON VACATING APARTMENTS

DRVAR, Nov 13 (Hina) - Bosnian Croat refugees who settled in the western Bosnian town of Drvar on Saturday expressed grave concern over a law adopted by the former High Representative Carlos Westendorp on the cessation of the application of the Law on Abandoned Property as well as over the latest decisions taken by the current High Representative Wolfgang Petritch in that regard. Not denying anyone the right to property and its being returned to its owners, associations gathering the families of missing and detained Croat soldiers, war invalids and volunteers said in a statement they could not accept the decision according to which they should unconditionally vacate the apartments they were currently occupying until they were given adequate alternative accommodation. "The Drvar municipality is the area where a vast majority of Croats have decided to stay once and for all, because many Croatian sons shed their blood for this area. Since we cannot return to our pre- war homes... in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, we have chosen Drvar as our final destination", the associations said in the statement. Refusing accommodation in refugee centres, the refugees said they were willing to return the property they were currently occupying to the real owners but only if they were given as many land plots as possible in Drvar, where they could build new homes. The statement was sent to international representatives operating in Drvar, Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), Herzeg-Bosnia Canton Prefect, Drvar police superintendent, and municipal authorities. (hina) rml