SIBENIK, 19 June (Hina) - U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith on Thursday visited the hotel complex 'Solaris' in Sibenik where he met with Croatian displaced people who are accommodated in 'Solaris'.
SIBENIK, 19 June (Hina) - U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith on
Thursday visited the hotel complex 'Solaris' in Sibenik where he met
with Croatian displaced people who are accommodated in 'Solaris'. #L#
At a press conference held after the meeting, Galbraith said he had
visited Knin yesterday and Sibenik today in order to talk with people
whose fate depended directly on the application of peace agreements.
The most important current task is the return of displaced people
and refugees to their homes, both of Croats and those Serbs who want to
return.
The UNTAES mandate depends on the process of return, he added.
The decision on the UNTAES mandate would be made next week as the
current mandate expired on 15 July, Galbraith said. The current
situation on the ground would certainly be taken into account during the
decision-making.
What could possibly cause an extension of the current mandate is a
lack of progress in the return of Croatian Serbs and lack of security
for those Serbs who want to return, the U.S. Ambassador said.
If the Serbs are not able to return, the Croats will also have
difficulties in returning to their homes. The UNTAES mandate will not be
completed until the process of return is started, Galbraith concluded.
(hina) rm jn
191701 MET jun 97