CROATIAN REPUBLIC OF HERZEG-BOSNIA LODGES PROTEST WITH UNHCR

MOSTAR, Jan 5 (HBNA/Hina) - Herzeg-Bosnian Government Office for refugees and displaced persons lodged a vigorous protest with UNHCR special envoy for the former Yugoslavia Nicholas Morris, based in Zagreb, because of a violation of the agreed procedure on announcing of passage of humanitarian convoys. Head of the Office Martin Raguz said in the protest that a 34- truck UNHCR convoy attempted to deliver over 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Zenica and Tuzla on 5 January without previous announcement and necessary documents. He added that it was a serious violation and getting around the mutual commitments in connection with free humanitarian aid delivery. The protest further reminded that a mutual commission on free humanitarian aid delivery was established on 19 October 1993. Members of the commission are representatives of the UNHCR, UNPROFOR, ICRC, European Monitors and Herzeg-Bosnian Government. The commission established the way of free humanitarian aid delivery and commitments of organizers of humanitarian convoys. Since then, over 400 humanitarian convoys have passed through areas under the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) control. Mr. Raguz said at the end of the protest that he believes that the UNHCR will soon explain this serious violation of the procedure on free humanitarian aid delivery. 061218 MET jan 94