SARAJEVO TO HOST CONFERENCE ON RETURN OF REFUGEESS OF 3 JAN

( Editorial: --> 7577 ) MOSTAR, 27 Jan (Hina)- On 3 February Sarajevo will host a conference on the return of former inhabitants to that town, said UNHCR Spokesperson in BH Ariane Quentier. Speaking at a press briefing in Mostar, Quentier said that the conference on the return to Sarajevo would be chaired by High Representative of the international community for BH Carlos Westendorp and Robert Gelbard, Special Envoy of the US President. She also disclosed parts of a draft of a joint statement by UNHCR and the Office of the High Commissioner for BH, which will be read at the conference. The statement warns that Sarajevo can hardly be considered the capital of BH if it remains to a great degree ethnically pure and that implementation of the Dayton Accords hinges on restoration of the city's multi-ethnicity. Ariane Quentier said UNHCR estimated that about 220,000 refugees would return to BH by the end of the year. She added that 80 per cent of all financial aid would be channelled to the "open town" projects for the return of minority groups to certain areas. (Hina) mm mr 271831 MET jan 98