MOSTAR, July 30 (Hina) - The first post-war train which began to run from Sarajevo through Mostar towards Ploce, arrived in Mostar on Tuesday around 14.00 hours. This announced commercial rail traffic on the Sarajevo-Ploce railway
which is to begin in several days. The train was welcomed at the train station in Mostar by several thousands of residents and political officials from eastern (Moslem-held) Mostar, as well as European Union officials.
MOSTAR, July 30 (Hina) - The first post-war train which began to
run from Sarajevo through Mostar towards Ploce, arrived in Mostar
on Tuesday around 14.00 hours.
This announced commercial rail traffic on the Sarajevo-Ploce
railway which is to begin in several days.
The train was welcomed at the train station in Mostar by
several thousands of residents and political officials from eastern
(Moslem-held) Mostar, as well as European Union officials. #L#
After a short rest, the train continued on its way towards
Capljina and Ploce.
Before the train arrived, the train station in the eastern
part of town, which is the only train station in Mostar, was
ceremoniously opened.
The Mayor of eastern Mostar, Safet Orucevic, stressed at the
ceremony that the "arrival of the train from Sarajevo is a symbolic
announcement of stronger ties between Mostar and other parts of
Bosnia-Herzegovina, and also ,which is very important for our
country, ties with Croatia".
EU Administrator in Mostar Martin Garrod, who opened the train
station, described it a very important step and a good sign for the
future as well as decisions which had do be made by the end of the
year.
Speaking of the extension of the EU mandate in Mostar, Garrod
said that the situation in Mostar was very serious, adding that he
believed it would be terrible if the EU had to leave Mostar.
He expressed hope that an agreement would be reached.
(hina) lm mm
301729 MET jul 96