UNHCR WARNS OF RENEWED APARTMENT EVICTIONS IN CROAT-HELD MOSTAR

SARAJEVO, June 20 (Hina) - The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday reported increased tensions in Croat-controlled west Mostar following renewed threats of the eviction of non-Croat residents. UNHCR spokeswoman Ariane Quentier told a news conference in Sarajevo that two new cases of apartment evictions had been registered in the southern city. One family had been returned to their apartment but unknown persons again threw their possessions out in the street this morning, she added. The UNHCR has been trying for months to organise the return to west Mostar of five families expelled between early January 1996 and February this year. A total of 82 families were forced out of their apartments in that period but only five expressed a desire to return. We have been trying for four months to solve that problem with Croat authorities and to find out if the apartments of expellees have been occupied and if they can return at all, but the only answer we have received to date is that they do not know of any expulsions, Quentier said. (hina) vm 201516 MET jun 97