KINKEL SAYS GERMANY WANTS TO ALLEVIATE BURDEN OF REFUGEE CARE

( Editorial: --> 7140 ) SARAJEVO, Aug 31 (Hina) - The return of all Bosnian refugees to their homes is of the greatest importance for the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said in Sarajevo on Monday. Kinkel said this after meeting the President of the Bosnia- Herzegovina Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic, and Presidency members Kresimir Zubak and Momcilo Krajisnik. Germany insists on the full implementation of the peace agreement, including the return of refugees, Kinkel said. This also means that Germany expects understanding for its policy towards the return of Bosnian refugees because it had received the largest number of refugees and had spent more than DM 20 billion for their care, he added. The German authorities will continue to treat refugees in a humane way and act in a similar way regarding their return, but Germany has the right to try and alleviate the current burden of refugee care, Kinkel said. Commenting on the refugee problem, President Izetbegovic thanked Germany for all it had done in that area but also advocated a speedier return of Croatian Serb refugees in Bosnia to their homes in Croatia. (hina) rml /mbr 311707 MET aug 98