SARAJEVO, April 22 (Hina) - IFOR fully understands the efforts of refugees to return to their homes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it condemns "the people being cynically manipulated" as was the case in Doboj yesterday, IFOR spokesman,
Major Simon Haselock, said on Monday.
SARAJEVO, April 22 (Hina) - IFOR fully understands the efforts of
refugees to return to their homes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it
condemns "the people being cynically manipulated" as was the case
in Doboj yesterday, IFOR spokesman, Major Simon Haselock, said on
Monday. #L#
"We are ready to help in the return of refugees by ensuring
full freedom of movement and overall security, but we believe that
in the process of return, the UNHCR plan has to be complied with,"
Haselock said.
He stressed the danger of involving the army in settling
civilian upsets as was the case when Serbs tried to prevent Bosniac
refugees from visiting their homes in Doboj.
According to reports from the International Police Force, the
conflict began when the Serb police stopped a group of about 200
Bosniacs at an illegal checkpoint at an entrance to Doboj, demanded
to show their identifications and then searched them.
The explanation given to representatives of the International
Police Force was that they had been trying to establish whether
anyone in the group had been armed.
The Serbs did not let the refugees pass even after the
International Police demanded it and the tension grew to the extent
that IFOR troops had to shoot warning shots in the air to prevent
direct conflict.
The civilian authorities were primarily responsible for the
return of refugees, Haselock said.
"The governments of both entities have to ensure that such
incidents are never repeated and to ensure full freedom of movement
on which the return of refugees depends," Haselock said.
(hina) lm jn
221547 MET apr 96