UN REPORTS ON INCIDENTS IN HERZEGOVINA-NERETVA CANTON

( Editorial: --> 5431 ) SARAJEVO, July 3 (Hina) - Many incidents have happened in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton over the last three months the evident aim of which is to obstruct the return of refugees and exiled persons, the United Nations mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina said in a report on Friday. The mission warned that cantonal authorities had not taken the necessary measures to prevent the incidents or find their perpetrators. A total of 61 incidents took place in that region between March 26, when an agreement on the return of members of minority peoples was signed, and June 30. The mission reported that 64 Bosniak (Muslim) houses were damaged, and ten Bosniak-owned vehicles were either destroyed or damaged. Two Bosniaks were severely beaten, one lightly wounded in an explosion, while a considerable number was subjected to intimidation in an attempt to return to their homes. The largest number of incidents, 37, occurred in Stolac. The cantonal Ministry of Interior Affairs took certain measures which contributed to stabilising the situation but, the UN mission said, not one person suspected of partaking in these incidents has been arrested to date. According to UN spokesman Aleksandar Ivanko, on June 29 cantonal Interior Minister Valentin Coric promised that additional security measures would be taken. He is now expected to keep that promise, Ivanko said, adding this especially referred to the necessity of having the Interior Ministry function as a united institution. (hina) ha jn 031823 MET jul 98