U.S. CONDEMNS KILLING OF TWO BOSNIAN CROAT RETURNEES

ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - The United States government on Wednesday condemned the killing of two Croat returnees near the central Bosnian town of Travnik over the weekend. "We expect rapid reaction to follow through on the public calls by Bosniak (Moslem) officials for an investigation and arrest of the perpetrators of this crime," the State Department said in a statement carried by the US Embassy in Zagreb on Thursday. "This type of incident must not be tolerated," it stressed. "We call on all Bosnian authorities to ensure that displaced persons and refugees, regardless of ethnicity, are guaranteed safety and full protection of their civil and human rights as they return to their homes." Noting that there had recently been "substantial progress" in the return of displaced persons and refugees to central Bosnia, the US government called on the people and authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina to "build on this positive momentum and not let isolated acts of terrorism undermine the progress made." "The United States and the international community will continue to actively support the safe return of refugees and displaced persons, as provided by the Dayton Peace Accord," the statement said. (hina) vm 041521 MET sep 97