CROATS IN BOSNIAK PART OF MOSTAR REFUSE BOSNIAK RETURN PLAN

( Editorial: --> 4249 ) MOSTAR, April 2 (Hina) - Croat representatives in the three Bosniak (Muslim) majority municipalities of Mostar are not satisfied with a plan on the return of Croats to these municipalities proposed by municipal heads. Two days ago Muslim heads suggested that Croats begin returning to some 300 empty houses in municipalities with a Muslim majority. Croat deputy heads in the three municipalities however claim data on the number of empty Croat houses is incorrect. The suggested return plan does not envisage the return of Muslims currently living in these Mostar municipalities to their homes in the Bosnian Serb entity. This, the Croats believe, "radically disturbs the national composition in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton". "Croat houses in all municipalities with a Bosniak majority are heavily damaged and fail to meet even basic living conditions," said a statement issued by Croat deputy heads of the three municipalities. "Individual Croat returns to municipalities with a Bosniak majority are out of the question for security reasons as well, if we bear in mind the current number of Croats in these municipalities." Croat deputy heads say that, in line with Annexe 7 of the Dayton peace agreement, they do accept "the return of all to their property, but in keeping with the population's national composition according to the 1991 census". They also pointed out that "members of the (Muslim-led) Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina are accommodated in Croat houses in the district of Grabovica and (a) former military institute in Vrapcici, which is contrary to Annexe 1 Article 3 Provisions 5 and 6 of the Dayton agreement". (hina) ha jn /mb 022012 MET apr 98