CROATIA: REBEL BOSNIAN MOSLEM LEADER FIKRET ABDIC TELLS REFUGEES AT THE BATNOGA REFUGEE CAMP NOT TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES

Record ID: 275126

  • Title: CROATIA: REBEL BOSNIAN MOSLEM LEADER FIKRET ABDIC TELLS REFUGEES AT THE BATNOGA REFUGEE CAMP NOT TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES
  • Date: 27th August 1994
  • Summary: NEAR MALJEVAC, CROATIA (AUGUST 27, 1994) 1. GV CROWD OF PEOPLE IN THE CAMP 0.05 2. LV PEOPLE CHEERING AS REBEL BOSNIAN MOSLEM LEADER FIKRET ABDIC ARRIVES AT CAMP (3 SHOTS) 0.32 3. SV ABDIC TELL THE CROWD THEY SHOULD BE PATIENT, HE AND HIS ASSOCIATES WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM (SERBO-CROAT) 0.49 4. SV OLD WOMAN I
  • Embargoed: 11th September 1994 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEAR MALJEVAC, CROATIA
  • City:
  • Country: Croatia
  • Reuters ID: LVA2AFDF8ZW64XJD5M3VK1PZG24N
  • Story Text: Rebel Bosnian Moslem leader Fikret Abdic on Saturday (August 27) visited the Batnoga refugee camp in Serb-held Croatia and told his compatriots not to return to their homes.

    He was greeted by a cheering crowd of about 2,000 people.

    Abdic told the crowd they should be patient, and that he and his associates would take care of the problem.

    In Croatia, international mediators have stepped up efforts to persuade Moslem refugees from the fallen Bosnian rebel province of Bihac to return to their homes, a U.N. spokesman said.

    Some 25,000 people fled last week from the northwest pocket to the neighbouring Serb-held Krajina region of Croatia after forces loyal to the Sarajevo government crushed an 11-month revolt by local leader Abdic.

    They have refused to return to their homes in spite of Bosnian government assurances and an extension of an amnesty for Abdic's soldiers, saying they fear for their safety.

    The international community sent a signal to the refugees that the best solution would be to return to the pocket, and that they cannot hope for asylum in the West or in Croatia.

    Abdic however has told his followers that the offer of amnesty was not credible.

    The head of the U.N. High Comissioner for Refugees, Nicholas Morris, accused Abdic last week of manipulating the refugees, and limiting their personal choice to go back or not.


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