DATE=3/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ALBRIGHT REFUGEES (L-O)UPDATE
NUMBER=2-260032
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=BANJA LUKA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Croatia and the Bosnian Serbs have signed a
declaration that would allow thousands of war-time
refugees to return home. The statement was issued in
Banja Luka, during a meeting that included the
Bosnian-Serb prime minister, the Croatian and Bosnian
foreign ministers, and Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright. V-O-A's Kyle King reports from Banja Luka.
TEXT: Secretary of State Albright welcomed the
announcement and said the United States would provide
two-million dollars to finance the reconstruction of
100-unoccupied houses on each side of the Bosnian-
Croatian border, marked by the Sava River.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
This initiative will make possible the largest
single two-way return of refugees over the Sava
since Dayton (the Bosnian Peace agreement). It
will ease the financial challenge faced by these
governments as they enter a period of what we
hope will be sustained cooperation.
/// END ACT ///
Although all the parties to the Bosnian Peace accords
pledged to allow the return of refugees, ethnic
hatreds and the fact that many of the homes were
destroyed or occupied by former wartime enemies have
hindered the process.
U-S officials attribute the progress on the issue to
the work of the new Croatian government and moderate
Bosnian-Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodic, who has
encouraged refugees to return.
Secretary of State Albright says the declaration by
the Bosnian and Croatian governments brings refugees a
step closer home, and the region a step closer to a
new Europe.
// UNVOICED OPT // Secretary Albright visits Brussels
Thursday to begin talks with NATO allies and the
European Union. // END OPT // (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RAE
09-Mar-2000 14:45 PM EDT (09-Mar-2000 1945 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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