CROATS MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO RETURN TO MOSTAR - KAUZLARICH

( Editorial: --> 7979 ) MOSTAR, Sept 3 (Hina) - It is necessary to encourage Croats to return to Mostar, US Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Richard Kauzlarich, said in Mostar on Thursday. Kauzlarich held talks with the town's mayor, Safet Orucevic, and deputy prefect of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Fatima Leho, on the return of refugees. Orucevic asked Kauzlarich for political and financial assistance for the start of the return process to Mostar. Th US Ambassador stressed that he was satisfied with the status of Serb and Bosniak (Moslem) returnees to Capljina. Mostar and the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton are of great importance, not only for the future of Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also for the overall process of return of refugees to their homes, Kauzlarich said. The priority issue for the US government will in the future be the return of refugees, he added. Kauzrarich dismissed statements by political leaders in the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska that Serbs did not wish to return to their pre-war homes. The return of Bosniaks to Republika Srpska has also begun, but in insufficient numbers, he said. (hina) lml 032224 MET sep 98