USAID OPENS OFFICE IN CENTRAL BOSNIA

( Editorial: --> 7863 ) TRAVNIK, July 15 (Hina) - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Wednesday opened its office for central Bosnia in Travnik. In attendance were cantonal and local officials, businessmen and the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina Richard Kauzlarich. The representatives of several companies signed agreements on loans ranging between DM20,000 and DM100,000, with favourable interest rates and instalments. According to the U.S. Ambassador, the USAID has so far invested DM14 million in the reconstruction of central Bosnia. The Agency will offer favourable loans to stimulate the development of private companies, he said, adding cantonal authorities should step up the privatisation process. Kauzlarich told cantonal leaders that the U.S. Government was contrary to any division of Bosnia and any revision of the Dayton peace agreement. The U.S. Government is concerned about the slow return of Croats to Travnik and Bugojno and the return of their property, and about the fact that the killers of several Travnik Croat returnees had not yet been found, Kauzlarich said. Central Bosnia is crucial to the success of both the Croat-Muslim Federation of BH and the whole BH, he said. (hina) ha jn 151752 MET jul 98