First official meeting between Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka and the president of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ivan Andrić Lužanski
Sarajevo
Sarajevo, February 5, 1999 (IKA) – On Thursday, February 4, Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka met officially for the first time with the president of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ivan Andrić Lužanski, and his associates at the office of the president. Reporting on the status of Croatian Catholics in the territory of his diocese, Bishop Komarica asked President Lužanski about the fate of the Croats displaced from central Bosnia who are presently living in the territories of the parishes of Drvar, Bosansko Grahovo and Glamoč. Bishop Komarica asked why Bosnian Muslim and Croatian politicians from the territory of the Federation have not made provisions for the safe and peaceful conduct of those wishing to return to their native cities and villages. He also asked why the politicians from the territory of the Federation are not conferring with the politicians of the Republika Srpska regarding the very dramatic situation involving hundreds of displaced persons and refugees from the territory of the Serbian entity as well as Serbs displaced from the territory of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The bishop sorrowfully noted an inconsistency and lack of credibility among domestic and international politicians, who often profess and sign one thing and do something else. President Lužanski pointed out that he supports all displaced persons and refugees who want to return to their native cities and villages throughout the territory of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and displaced persons and refugees who want to return to the territory of the Republika Srpska. He informed Bishop Komarica of his upcoming visit to Banja Luka and planned meeting with the president of the Republika Srpska, with whom he will discuss the possibilities for the return of Croats and Bosnian Muslims to their native cities and villages in the territory of the Republika Srpska. President Lužanski also asked Bishop Komarica to continue to provide his support to disenfranchised people, Croatian Catholics and all others, and promised that he will soon organize a meeting among Croatian politicians in Bosnia-Herzegovina and representatives of the associations of Croatian displaced persons and returnees, particularly from the territory of the Republika Srpska, so that this year a large number will be able to return to their native cities and villages and receive the necessary assistance for renewal.