UNHCR VOICES CONCERN OVER LAW ON SALE OF FLATS ( Editorial: --> 9967 )

( Editorial: --> 9967 ) MOSTAR, Nov 11 (Hina) - Ariane Quentier, the UNHCR spokeswoman in Mostar, on Tuesday expressed concern over a law on the sale of socially-owned flats adopted by the Bosnian Federation's House of Peoples on 30 October. Quentier said the law was contrary to the right of refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes, because it gave purchase rights to current occupants, not pre-war ones who have tenancy rights. This, she said, was contrary to Annex VII of the Dayton peace agreement. The Office of the international High Representative for Bosnia- Herzegovina was also concerned over that law and was preparing a special amendment which should prevent, said Quentier, the "negative influence of that law". Quentier called on Central Bosnia Canton authorities to draft a plan for the first stage of the return to over 2,000 vacant houses in the Canton. Once the first stage was completed, the UNHCR would organize a donors' conference in view of gathering funds for the renovation of houses, the building of schools and the reconstruction of the infrastructure, she said. The UNHCR was currently renovating 455 houses in Bugojno, Jajce, Kresevo, Fojnica, Travnik and Vitez, she said. (hina) ha jn 111834 MET nov 97