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Bus Opens from Banja Luka to Zenica, but Few Prove Brave Enough to Ride
Shortly after daybreak, a small bus carrying an elderly Muslim couple left Banja Luka, the biggest Serb-held city in northwestern Bosnia, for Zenica, in the center of the Muslim-Croat federation. It was the first such service between the cities since the Bosnian war began in 1992. The service was sponsored by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
Another U.N. relief agency bus arrived in Banja Luka from Zenica at 10:30 a.m., transporting a pregnant Muslim woman, Kadira Djerakovic, and her three children. "I came to visit my parents and plan to stay here for two days," she said, adding that the 124-mile ride went without problems.
Karsten Sondergard, a logistics officer for the U.N. relief agency, accompanied the Djerakovic family. "We have to stress that there is no problem for people to see their families and also that this transport is for free for all nationalities to help the freedom of movement," he said.
Six buses a week are planned between the two cities, he said.
Since the Bosnian peace accord was signed in Paris last December, international groups have been trying to reunite broken families and build trust among the rival parties. Several serious incidents have occurred when people tried to cross over the former front lines without formal approvals. The bus service is intended to prevent further incidents. |
BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina, June 5 (AP) -- A new bus service linking two Bosnian cities -- one in Serb territory and the other in the Muslim-Croat half of the divided state -- began Wednesday, but only a few people dared take the ride.
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Berserkistan, May 13 · Bosnian Serbs in Banja Luka Fear War Will Return
Berserkistan, May 10 · Bildt Wins Commitment from Moderate Serbs in Banja Luka
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