GRAORAC: HARDLY ANYONE WILL COME FORWARD WITH GRAVE SITES INFORMATION

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 23 /SRNA/ – Offering financial rewards is only one way of obtaining information about the grave sites containing the remains of missing persons, but it is very difficult to expect anyone to come forward publicly or anonymously today with such information, Isidora Graorac, the head of the Republic Organisation of Families of Captured and Killed Soldiers and Missing Civilians, told SRNA.

Commenting on the announcement by the Missing Persons Institute of BiH that anyone providing information about the grave sites would receive a financial reward, Graorac said that any such information deserved attention, but that she was not optimistic given everything that had happened in the past regarding the search for missing Serb soldiers and civilians.

Graorac noted that there had been a time when payments were offered for information, but said it was very difficult to expect anyone to come forward publicly or anonymously today.

If the information is confirmed to be accurate, she added, the money would have to be paid to someone.

"So as not to be doubting Thomases from the outset, we will give some time to those who may have information and are willing to share it, those whose conscience troubles them and who want to come forward. Let them open up and try to help the families in this way as well," Graorac said.

However, she said there was scepticism because of everything that had happened in the past, particularly regarding the work of the Institute, which had so far been anything but successful.

"In that respect, we are not particularly optimistic. I do not believe we will resolve a large number of cases, because this is not simply a matter of handing out money," Graorac stressed.

She pointed out that financial rewards could be one means of obtaining information, but that much more work was needed on other practical measures, such as speaking directly with witnesses.

"If someone genuinely has information and wants to share it, they will do so regardless of the money you offer them. On the other hand, if someone is only interested in the money, then it is questionable whether the information they have is verifiable and accurate," Graorac explained.

Nikola Perišić, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Missing Persons Institute of BiH, called on anyone with any information about the grave sites containing the remains of missing persons to cooperate, stating that they would receive a financial reward.

Perišić said that all the necessary permits had been obtained, allowing the funds for rewards for information about grave sites to finally become available.