MOSTAR'S OLD BRIDGE STARTS MOSTAR, June 7 (Hina) - The reconstruction of Stari Most (Old Bridge) started in Bosnia-Herzegovina's the southern city of Mostar on Thursday following five-year-long preparations for this endeavour.
MOSTAR, June 7 (Hina) - The reconstruction of Stari Most (Old
Bridge) started in Bosnia-Herzegovina's the southern city of
Mostar on Thursday following five-year-long preparations for this
endeavour.#L#
Old Bridge, the main landmark of Mostar, was destroyed on 9 November
1993 during the Muslim-Croat armed conflict, when tank shells,
fired from the positions of the Croat Defence Council (HVO), hit
this monument dating back to the 16th century. Old Bridge, built by
Mason Hairudin, was one of the most beautiful monuments from the
Ottoman age.
The entire project of its reconstruction will cost 15.5 million US
dollars. The World Bank has granted a four-million loan, whereas
the governments of Italy, France, the Netherlands and Turkey have
secured about 5.5 million dollars for this purpose.
The project is being carried out by a Bosnian agency for the
reconstruction in cooperation with the World Bank, UNESCO and the
"Aga Khan" foundation.
At Thursday's ceremony, a charter on the reconstruction, coins and
issues of today's dailies were built in the foundations at the site
where Old Bridge used to be.
(hina) ms