HIGH REP REQUESTS RECONSTRUCTION OF BANJA LUKA MOSQUE

( Editorial: --> 6881 ) SARAJEVO, April 15 (Hina - Ranko Mavrak) - Banja Luka Mayor Djordje Umicevic has rejected a request by High Representative Carlos Westendorp to allow without delay the reconstruction of Banja Luka's best known cultural monument - the Ferhadija mosque. "The Serb people cannot be asked to revive memories of the most dismal days of slavery," said Umicevic in a written reply to the High Representative, adding that the Banja Luka mosque was a "monument of cruel Turkish occupation". Ferhadija was built in 1579 and was under the protection of UNESCO as a cultural monument of 0 category. It was mined for the first time on May 5, 1993, and its foundations and all remains were destroyed on December 15 the same year. The destruction of Ferhadija was an introduction into a similar procedure which was carried out on all other Banja Luka mosques whose foundations today are covered with grass. Recalling these facts, Westendorp warned the Bosnian Serb authorities that the Islamic community of Bosnia-Herzegovina had already secured money for the reconstruction of Ferhadija and had drawings for its reconstruction. As a sign of something that could be called good will, Umicevic offered the construction of a new mosque at a "more appropriate location". The leadership of the Islamic community on Tuesday issued a statement saying that all arguments against the reconstruction of Ferhadija would be used as additional evidence for a process on the destruction of mosques, which is expected to take place before Bosnia's House for Human Rights and which the Islamic organisation is to initiate against Bosnian Serb authorities. Although he was called upon to engage in the reconstruction of the mosque, Bosnian Serb Premier Milorad Dodik has given no public statement on the issue. The only statement he gave concerning the issue was published by the Banja Luka bi-weekly "Reporter". "The world will insist on the reconstruction of Ferhadija. We don't have any manoeuvring space and we will have to give a construction permit. That, however, is something for the local authorities in Banja Luka to deal with," said Dodik. The idea on a gesture of good will, which would be shown through the reconstruction of at least one destroyed religious building in different parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was mentioned for the first time at a meeting of Bosnian religious leaders two months ago. Spokesman for Westendorp's office Aisling Burne confirmed yesterday that Umicevic's reply had been received. A counter-reply has still not been sent, but Burne hinted there was no possibility the High Representative would give up his request for the reconstruction of the Banja Luka mosque. (hina) mm rm /mb 151709 MET apr 98