U.S.-SPONSORED RECONSTRUCTION OF B-H FEDERATION STARTS

TUZLA, May 4 (Hina) - The reconstruction of 500 heavily damaged houses in 44 villages in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina started in the village of Donja Dobosnica near Tuzla today. The 25- million-dollar reconstruction project is financed by the U.S. Government. Reconstruction works started with a ceremony which was attended by the representatives of USAID, a humanitarian association which is the sponsor of the project, U.S. ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina John Menzies, and representatives of eight non- government associations which are taking part in the project. The project would secure the return of some 2,500 families and provide jobs for some 2,000 persons, Menzies said. It is expected that reconstruction works would be completed by the end of autumn. (hina) rm jn 041647 MET may 96