UNHCR & OHR CONDEMN ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT RETURN TO TASOVCICI

( Editorial: --> 5173 ) MOSTAR, Oct 2 (Hina/Habena) - The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday condemned attempts to prevent the return of Muslim refugees to the village of Tasovcici, southern B- H. Thursday's attempt of Croat refugees to prevent the return of Bosniaks to Tasovcici was judged as illegal. The right to return is unconditional for all refugees, the UNHCR and OHR said in a joint statement carried by the news agency Habena. The OHR in Mostar claims the return to Tasovcici had been announced with the local authorities on September 25. We want to remind that this was a planned and announced first phase of return to unoccupied houses, the statement said. The UNHCR and OHR strongly believe that the process of return must not result in anyone being thrown out on the street, the statement said. (hina) jn rml 022137 MET oct 98