MADRID MEETING WILL GIVE IMPETUS TO REFUGEE RETURN - BH OFFICIAL

SARAJEVO, Dec 13 (Hina) - The return of minority ethnic groups to Bosnia in 1999 will be the main priority of the international community in implementing the Dayton agreement, a Bosnian state official told reporters in Sarajevo on Sunday. Mirza Hajric, foreign affairs advisor to the Muslim member of the state presidency Alija Izetbegovic, said this ahead of his departure for Madrid, where he is to participate in a conference of the Peace Implementation Council. Hajric said he expected the issue of return to be in the focus of the Madrid meeting, after which the adoption of concrete return plans for individual parts of the country should follow. "It is of extreme importance for minority returns to be more assisted by the Stabilisation Force in the future", Hajric said. A more resolute implementation of their respective mandates in 1999 will also be expected from other international organisations operating in Bosnia, including the Office of the High Representative. The Muslim side expects from the Madrid meeting to give an impetus to the strengthening of central state bodies of authority, including the establishment of a single border police force. The meeting should also tackle military stability, Hajric said. (hina) rml