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OSCE calls for renewed efforts to support refugee return in Banja Luka
BANJA LUKA 6 April 2001
BANJA LUKA, 6 April 2001 - OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry expressed the "profound dissatisfaction" of the international community with the Banja Luka municipal authorities for their poor record in identifying alternative accommodation. He called for a renewed effort by the mayor to facilitate refugee return to the municipality.
In talks with Banja Luka Mayor Dragoljub Davidovic, Republika Srpska Minister for Refugees and Displaced Persons Mico Micic, and local officials from the Banja Luka municipality, Barry reminded the Mayor that, according to Article 36 of the Law on Cessation of Abandoned Property, it is the responsibility of the municipality to identify alternative accommodation. Failure by the municipal authorities to provide the Ministry of Refugees and Displaced Persons with a list of this accommodation, as requested in June, indicates a lack of commitment on the part of the municipal government on the entire issue of returnees.
"The current state of affairs regarding return of refugees and displaced persons to Banja Luka is simply unacceptable," affirmed Ambassador Barry. "The authorities claim that the lack of alternative accommodation in Banja Luka is responsible for this situation. We say the problem isn't a lack of alternative accommodation, the problem is a lack of commitment to the process."
Barry added that he was confident after the discussions today that the mayor would forge ahead with the identification of alternative accommodation. He said that the Office of the High Representative and the OSCE would review the progress made in 15 days and determine if further measures would be required by the international community to move this process forward.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourageRegional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
For further information please contact Sanela Tunovic, Deputy Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: (++387/33) 292-338 or (++387/66) 134-758.
In talks with Banja Luka Mayor Dragoljub Davidovic, Republika Srpska Minister for Refugees and Displaced Persons Mico Micic, and local officials from the Banja Luka municipality, Barry reminded the Mayor that, according to Article 36 of the Law on Cessation of Abandoned Property, it is the responsibility of the municipality to identify alternative accommodation. Failure by the municipal authorities to provide the Ministry of Refugees and Displaced Persons with a list of this accommodation, as requested in June, indicates a lack of commitment on the part of the municipal government on the entire issue of returnees.
"The current state of affairs regarding return of refugees and displaced persons to Banja Luka is simply unacceptable," affirmed Ambassador Barry. "The authorities claim that the lack of alternative accommodation in Banja Luka is responsible for this situation. We say the problem isn't a lack of alternative accommodation, the problem is a lack of commitment to the process."
Barry added that he was confident after the discussions today that the mayor would forge ahead with the identification of alternative accommodation. He said that the Office of the High Representative and the OSCE would review the progress made in 15 days and determine if further measures would be required by the international community to move this process forward.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourageRegional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
For further information please contact Sanela Tunovic, Deputy Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: (++387/33) 292-338 or (++387/66) 134-758.