SARAJEVO, 24 June (Hina) - Mans Nyberg, spokesman for the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday stated that after yesterday's return of the first five Bosniac families to Stolac (southern Bosnia- Herzegovina, under
Bosnian Croat control), the UNHCR would continue with the implementation of its pilot-project which is to include the reconstruction of 100 abandoned and destroyed Bosniac houses.
STOLAC
SARAJEVO, 24 June (Hina) - Mans Nyberg, spokesman for the U.N. High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday stated that after yesterday's
return of the first five Bosniac families to Stolac (southern Bosnia-
Herzegovina, under Bosnian Croat control), the UNHCR would continue with
the implementation of its pilot-project which is to include the
reconstruction of 100 abandoned and destroyed Bosniac houses. #L#
The first phase of the project included the reconstruction of 35
houses, after which another 65 houses would be reconstructed, Nyberg
told a press conference in Sarajevo Tuesday.
He said that Monday's return of the first Bosniac families to
Stolac was an encouraging sign, but warned about some problems which
arose this morning when one of the four families which were to return to
their homes today were denied entry by the local police.
The family which was denied entry into the town was allegedly
stopped at a police checkpoint outside Stolac, Nyberg said, adding that
the UNHCR and International Police Task Force would carry out an
investigation into the case.
The project of return of refugees continues no matter what and we
hope that the problem which arose today will soon be solved, Nyberg
said.
Spokeswoman for the UNHCR office in Mostar Ariane Quentier told a
press conference in Mostar on Tuesday that Federation Minister for
Refugees and Displaced, Rasim Kadic, and his deputy Damir Ljubic were
informed about the case.
The family which was denied entry into Stolac is originally from
Stolac, but it is not the real owner of the house it wanted to move in,
the UNHCR spokeswoman said.
It was agreed at last week's meeting in the Federation Ministry for
Refugees and Displaced that refugees and displaced could return to homes
which are not their property if they have permits by the real owners.
The Bosniac family which was denied entry into Stolac today had a
written permit by the real owner, Quentier said.
When they asked the local police why the family had been denied
entry, the UNHCR representatives were told that the police had acted on
the mayor's instructions, Quentier said.
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241459 MET jun 97