MAYOR OBSTRUCTS CROAT RETURN TO EASTERN MOSTAR - DEPUTY MAYOR

( Editorial: --> 2935 ) MOSTAR, June 22 (Hina) - Mostar Deputy Mayor Ivan Prskalo on Monday ascertained that Mayor Safet Orucevic has been preventing the return of Croats to the east Muslim-held part of the town. Orucevic is dividing Mostar, Prskalo said after a failed meeting local leaders had with Martin Garrod, head of the international High Representative's office in Mostar. Prskalo also said that Garrod is favouring Muslims in Mostar. According to Croat data, 50 Muslim families have returned to the western Croat-held side of the southern Bosnian town, while not one Croat has returned to eastern Mostar. The Croats' return to Mostar's Bijelo Polje district has been neglected, Prskalo said, adding only councillors and Muslims are incited to move to the western part of the town. He said Muslims in eastern Mostar had not vacated 120 houses in Bijelo Polje where Croats have to return according to a return agreement. "Orucevic is dividing Mostar. Two years he has obstructed the return in the town and made false calls to return", Prskalo said, and demanded that 120 Croat families be returned to eastern Mostar. (hina) ha 221945 MET jun 98