BOSNIA: LIPA: BOSNIAN SERBS ALLOW CROATS TO VISIT FAMILY GRAVES скачать в хорошем качестве

BOSNIA: LIPA: BOSNIAN SERBS ALLOW CROATS TO VISIT FAMILY GRAVES

(13 May 1996) English/Nat In a tentative sign of decreasing tension, a group of 42 Bosnian Croats has been granted permission by local Bosnian Serb authorities to cross the invisible line that separates ethnic communities. This allowed them to visit family graves in their former village, now in Serb-held Bosnia. A group of Croat refugees, formerly residents of Lipa village, departed early Sunday morning from their current place of residence in Croat-held Odzak in north Bosnia. With the protection of IFOR troops they crossed successfully the invisible line that divides ethnic communities in Bosnia. By midday, they were at Lipa, 10 kilometres northwest of Serb-held Modrica in northern Bosnia. Accompanied by a Bosnian Croat Catholic priest from Odzak, the refugees paid homage to their deceased relatives at the local cemetery. After cleaning up the family graves, the relatives attended an improvised open-air mass in the graveyard. An American IFOR spokesman, whose troops escorted the visiting Croats, considered the visit a success. SOUNDBITE: There was a commitment by local officials on both sides to make today's visit a success and consequently they involved the local police on both sides and as you can see we've got Serb police securing the gravesite which is in Serb territory as is defined by the IEBL (Inter-Entity Boundary lines) currently. The IPTF in its role working with the police on both sides has assisted in the coordination and the assistance of this visit. SUPER CAPTION: US IFOR military spokesman He also pointed out the importance of peaceful negotiations by both the Bosnian Croat and Serb sides. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...