(17 Aug 1997) English/Nat
Bosnian Muslim refugees are returning to their villages near Jajce after being forced out by Croat mobs a week ago.
The return is being overseen by S-FOR, but so far only the heads of families have been allowed back and many of the villages are in ruins.
More than 100 Muslims began their return on Saturday to the region around the central Bosnian town of Jajce.
The trip was undertaken by 118 heads of family from Krusica, one of the villages from which people fled in one of the worst outbreaks of ethnic violence to hit Bosnia since the end of the war.
During the weekend of August 2-3, a group of Croats expelled recent Muslim returnees - one Muslim died as houses were set alight.
For those returning it was a distressing sight, with many finding their homes in ruins.
S-FOR officials monitoring the return say that so far it's gone well.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The situation in Krusica is very peaceful a the moment. The Croat police who've led on this operation for the return of the villagers in a safe and protective environment have gone extremely well, monitored by the I-P-T-F (International Police Task Force), overseen by S-FOR. Overall I'm extremely happy with the way things have gone so far, but it's early days in the operation which is due to last another six days to get the rest of the returnees back to the village, or the villages in this area."
SUPER CAPTION: Major James Danny, S-FOR
The men stayed overnight after being given aid from the International Police task Force (IPTF) and local Croats, but they will not be able to return permanently for the time being.
Although the war in Bosnia is officially over, implementing peace is still proving difficult.
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