On the 25th April, Glas Srpski published a SRNA report on the returns process to Klanac, Brcko. The report misrepresented the procedures by which pre-war residents are able to return to their homes of origin, in particular by its suggestion that those other than pre-war residents might be nominated to occupy a reconstructed property should the pre-war resident not wish to.
It has been the policy of the Office of the High Representative – North since its inception to pursue a peaceful, phased and orderly returns program of persons to their homes of origin in accordance with Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Accords and the Arbitral Award for Brcko.
The Procedure for Return to Brcko (issued on 24 April 1997) makes clear that the sole authority to approve families for return is the Return Commission. The Return Commission only approves an application for return by the owner, on the basis of an advisory opinion on ownership given by the Commission for Real Property Claims (CRPC). If he chooses not to return, he must go to CRPC and pursue a different claim option that will allow him to sell the property. Following this it is solely the owner’s choice in any future decision on the property.
For further information contact:
OHR North, Public Affairs – Jenny Pearce, David Bennett
28 April 1998