24.08.1997 OHR Sarajevo

Croat Returns to Bugojno Agreed

Senior Deputy High Representative Ambassador Wagner met with Acting Mayor of Bugojno, Dzevad Mlaco, on 24 August for a common announcement about welcoming the return of refugees and displaced persons to Bugojno.

According to the agreement, Mlaco called on Croats to return to their empty houses in the municipality of Bugojno, starting immediately with the settlements of Kopcic, Curcica Lug and Udurlije. These were chosen as a starting point because of their good security conditions and existing infrastructure. An estimated 1 ,500 Croats lived in these settlements before the war.

The opening up of Bugojno for returns is part of the efforts of OHR in facilitating returns in the entire Central Bosnia Canton, as outlined in a meeting with the Federation President and Vice-President on 5 August.

The welcoming of minority returns will benefit the entire community in Bugojno. Together with the installation of a legal municipal government on the basis of the forthcoming elections, this move will provide a basis for Bugojno to be included in measures supporting the development of the entire Canton.