Banja Luka, January 28, 1998 (IKA) – On January 24 and 25, Doris Pack, president of the Commission for Southeast Europe of the European Parliament, visited the Banja Luka region. During her visit, she met with bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka and his associates; Biljana Plavšić, the president of the Republika Srpska; and Milorad Dodik, the newly elected president of the Government of the Republika Srpska.
At the meeting with Bishop Komarica, there was discussion about the international community#!s plans for the return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes and birthplaces, and a plan was reviewed for renovating the building of the Episcopal Ordinariate in Banja Luka where the Caritas Clinic has been lodged for the past four years. Recently, the necessary permit was obtained from the government of the Republika Srpska to renovate the building of the Episcopal Ordinariate and change its function to permit the Caritas Clinic to remain there. The necessary funding has been obtained by the Government of Luxembourg and the European Union.
The high European functionary emphasized during talks with President Dodik that international economic assistance in that part of Bosnia-Herzegovina depends upon returning all to their homes. Dodik emphasized a readiness to allow the return of refugees and displaced persons to the territory of the Republika Srpska.
After returning from Banja Luka, Doris Pack stated that this time she was far more optimistic than after previous visits. She expressed her conviction that this was the year of return. Return was the subject of talks during her meeting with Serbian politicians. She emphasized that there is a marked readiness to allow thousands of refugees from the Banja Luka region to return during the coming months. Responding to a question on the status of human rights and freedom in this region, Doris Pack said that fundamental rights and freedoms are still in jeopardy but she hopes that there will soon be progress and improvement: “The return of Croats and Muslims in the largest numbers possible will create improved conditions for eventual coexistence and dialogue.” It is also necessary to provide employment opportunities so that people can stop living on humanitarian assistance and create a much more favorable economic atmosphere. Doris Pack emphasized the great and important role of Bishop Komarica who has provided the remaining Croatian Catholics in the Banja Luka Diocese with material as well as spiritual support. Through his efforts, the international community has been forced to focus upon the disenfranchisement and difficult position of the Croatian Catholics and Muslims in this region.