Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We share the view that the evictions in Drvar were conducted appropriately, and in compliance with standard, ongoing, legal procedures under Bosnia's property implementation law to return property to its rightful owners throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Those who were asked to leave the houses they were illegally occupying were determined to have the means to provide for their own accommodation in Bosnia. No one who is entitled to alternative accommodation under the law was subject to eviction.

We support the position taken by the Office of the High Representative (OHR) that the procedures for evictions, and the rights of temporary occupants in Drvar who qualify for alternative accommodation, must be the same as everyone else in Bosnia.

As Bosnian citizens, with access to housing in Bosnia, those being evicted have no need to leave Bosnia, should they wish to remain there.

We welcome the constructive statements by the Croatian Government urging those evicted to remain in Bosnia. The Croatian Government is not obligated to provide them with alternative accommodation in Croatia.

We encourage the Bosnian and Croatian Governments to send a consistent and accurate message on this issue and to continue their close cooperation on return and resettlement matters.

This difficult humanitarian situation emphasizes the need for the international community also to send a consistent message to the region on refugee returns and property restitution.

We also believe that this further highlights the continued importance of OSCE regional engagement on these sensitive issues.

Thank you.