U.S. TO GIVE US $29 MILLION FOR RETURN OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES

( Editorial: --> 2594 ) SARAJEVO, 6 Jan (Hina) - The U.S. government has granted US $29 million for the financing of return and accommodation of refugees in Bosnia-Herzegovina, UNHCR spokesman Chris Janowski told reporters in Sarajevo Tuesday. The 29 million make one third of the money UNHCR requested from the international community, with the aim of implementing the return plan in 1998. The plan is to be implemented primarily through the financing of 'open town' projects, which include considerable financial assistance to municipalities willing to allow a more mass return of members of minority ethnic groups. The whole project for the area of former Yugoslavia will cost US $187 million, of which 87 million will go to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Janowski also expressed hope that 1998 would see a more mass return of refugees to Republika Srpska. So far, only symbolic results have been achieved in that part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, despite verbal assurances from Biljana Plavsic, he said. Between 35,000 and 45,000 Croatian Serb refugees are still in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Janowski estimated. The Serb refugees are accommodated in the wider Banja Luka area, in other people's houses, and that is an additional problem in the process of return, Janowski said. (hina) rm 061453 MET jan 98