PRSKALO ANNOUNCES RETURN OF CROATS TO EASTERN MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Oct 1 (Hina) - During Wednesday's talks with Martin Garrod, Mostar Mayor Ivan Prskalo announced that the Bosnian Croat party would soon launch an initiative for the return of Croats in eastern half of Mostar. On Wednesday Garrod, who is the head of the regional office of the international community's High Representative to Bosnia- Herzegovina, held the meeting with Prskalo and heads of three Croat-controlled Mostar municipalities, Ljubo Golemc, Vjekoslav Kordic and Stipe Maric. According to a statement issued by Garrod's office, he clearly pointed out that the so-called community of municipalities with Croat majorities did not exist, as there were no legal bases for it and that he had held talks with heads of some municipalities. According to the same source, the talks revolved round different problems of these municipalities. The British diplomat said he maintained that also deputy heads of municipalities should be present at talks on concrete problems of municipalities. He emphasised that it was necessary to respect the Mostar transitional statute provisions referring to what was jurisdiction of the city and what was the jurisdiction of municipalities. Prskalo, Golemc, Kordic and Maric reiterated their readiness to cooperate fully with the international community. They said that some problems concerning, for instance, schools, sewerage, water supply management, road construction, communications should be urgently solved. Garrod replied that the office of the High Representative would like to help make contact with international institutions that might offer financial assistance. However, it is necessary that responsible organs in municipalities decide which projects have priority and co-ordinate different requests. He added that definite solutions should be made concerning sources of the city's and municipalities' revenue and budget. (hina) jn mš 011818 MET oct 97