RETURN OF REFUGEES TO CENTRAL BOSNIA SPEEDS UP

SARAJEVO, Aug 27 (Hina) - Top Bosnian Federation officials said on Wednesday that the return of refugees to the Central Bosnia canton got off to a good start and that agreements reached following an incident in Jajce earlier this month were being fully implemented. Senior Moslem and Croat officials, including Federation President and Vice President Vladimir Soljic and Ejup Ganic, Prime Minister Edhem Bicakic, Minister for Refugees Rasim Kadic and his deputy Damir Ljubic, and cantonal leaders held a meeting in Sarajevo under the chairmanship of Deputy High Representative Gerd Wagner. They assessed that the situation in central Bosnia was rapidly improving and voiced their support for the completion of the first phase of the return of refugees. Over 400 Moslem families have so far returned to the Croat- controlled Jajce area, Wagner told reporters after the meeting, adding that it was agreed that the first phase of the return of refugees there should begin immediately. Wagner said that the processes initiated in central Bosnia should not remain isolated but should be expanded to the entire territory of the Federation. Soljic and Ganic agreed to act in that direction, he added. The meeting concluded that a comprehensive plan for the return of all refugees to central Bosnia should be finalised by September 10. Plans for return to Bugojno and Vitez have already been drawn up. The return of about 40,000 refugees is planned in the first stage of the return process. (hina) vm jn 271626 MET aug 97