LOCAL AUTHORITIES SIGN AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF MOSLEMS TO STOLAC

STOLAC, Feb 4 (Hina) - In the presence of the President and Vice President of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kresimir Zubak and Ejup Ganic respectively, and a deputy to the international High Representative Bildt, Michael Steiner, the (Croat) mayor of Stolac, Andjelko Markovic and the (Moslem) president of the Stolac municipal council, Mehmed Dizdar, who is located in Mostar, Sunday signed an agreement on a list of houses available to 100 Moslem families who should return to this southern Bosnian town. #L# The agreement was in line with the Dayton peace accords provisions on return of 600 families to Travnik and Bugojno (municipalities under the Moslem-led Bosnian Government control) and Jajce and Stolac (under the Bosnian Croat control). It was also signed by the UNHCR mission chief in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Damaso Feci, as a witness. It was agreed that UNHCR would finance the reconstruction of the houses. Federation President Zubak described today's agreement as a first step in rebuilding confidence between Croats and Moslems (Bosniacs). He assessed that the next step would be the establishment of federal institutions of authorities at the canton level. Vice-President Ganic said that today's deal was of great importance to the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He announced that Federation senior officials would tour Jajce, Travnik and Bugojno as well, where refugees should come back. Ganic stressed that the protection of private property was precondition for the survival of the Federation. He forecast that Moslem families would be able to return to Stolac in early spring. Steiner said the Stolac agreement set a good example for other towns. He added that the international police force. already in place in the town, would guarantee safety and security of Moslem returnees in Stolac. "When the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina becomes viable, the federal police will be established," Steiner said. (hina) mms 041546 MET feb 96