NO AGREEMENT REACHED ON RETURN OF CROATS TO TRAVNIK SETTLEMENTS

( Editorial: --> 0968 ) VITEZ, Sept 17 (Hina) - A settlement on the return of Croats to Travnik was not reached at Wednesday's meeting of Travnik and Vitez authorities with representatives from the Office of High Representative, the UNHCR and SFOR. The meeting was called to discuss the two-way return of Bosniaks (Muslims) and Croats to their homes. Since the return of Bosniaks to the Vitez settlements of Gacice, Ahmici and Grbavica was realised without any problems, and with the full support of the international community, the return of Croats to Travnik settlements, especially Brajkovici and Bukovica, should have been defined at the Wednesday meeting. Vitez municipal head Ivo Garic told reporters that the only result of the meeting was a conclusion that the talks should continue in a week's time. We have asked for specific dates on the return and number of houses that the international community will repair for Croat returnees, just as it is being done for Bosniak returnees, Garic said. According to Garic, the international community representatives could not give a precise answer or promise during Wednesday's meeting. Travnik municipal representative Vlado Lovrinovic asked the international community whether they could not or would not ensure the return of Croats to Brajkovici, where several dozens of them live in improvised facilities, and in Bukovica where their return was being blocked by the Bosniaks who had settled there. Croat representatives expressed their hope that the next meeting would produce more concrete contributions from the international community regarding the return of Croats to Travnik settlements, because the upcoming weather would be inclement for such construction works. Also present at the Vitez meeting was the Central Bosnia Canton Reconstruction and Development Minister Josip Silic and representatives from international associations and humanitarian organisations, headed by the OHR representative Joys Taylor. (Hina) it /mbr 171255 MET sep 98