2O BOSNIAK FAMILIES TO RETURN TO STOLAC NEXT WEEK ( Editorial: --> 2737 )

( Editorial: --> 2737 ) MOSTAR, 21 Nov (Hina) - Croat and Bosniak officials from Stolac (southern Bosnia-Herzegovina) agreed in Mostar Friday on the return of 20 Bosniak families to their reconstructed homes in Stolac. The return of Bosniak refugees should start next week, said Ariane Quentier, spokeswoman for the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Today's meeting in Mostar was also attended by representatives of the Federation and canton ministries for social care, refugees and displaced persons, and was chaired by UNHCR officials. Fifty-seven Bosniak families have so far returned to their homes in Stolac as part of a pilot-project to return refugees and displaced persons. In order to complete the program of return of 100 Bosniak families to Stolac, the two sides agreed that another 25 houses in the village of Uzonovici near Stolac be assessed next week, said Quentier. UNHCR welcomes the positive development which will enable the completion of the pilot-project and open a new chapter in the history of Stolac, Quentier said. (hina) rm 211608 MET nov 97