AGREEMENT ON REFUGEE RETURN TO CENTRAL BH IS VERY IMPORTANT - JANOWSKI

JANOWSKI $ SARAJEVO, Aug 29 (Hina) - The political agreement the Croat and Bosniak (Muslim) sides reached in relation to an organized return of refugees to central Bosnia was the biggest step forward in that field, UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski told reporters in Sarajevo on Friday. Commenting on an agreement the highest officials of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Central Bosnia Canton reached this week, Janowski said both sides showed good will which would open the door to the return of 40,000 people to their homes. According to the UNHCR spokesman, the federal partners said there were 10,000 empty houses to which pre-war inhabitants may make an undisturbed return. It was important now to ensure money for the reconstruction of their damaged homes in order to complete the return project, he added. Janowski said UNHCR would not be able to significantly assist the refugees' return. The international community was now expected to provide more financial assistance, he concluded. (hina) ha jn 291714 MET aug 97