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Date: September 6, 2000 
The opening of the reconstructed pedestrian bridge in Mostar's Old Town in Bosnia will take place on Thursday, September 7, 2000 at 11:00 am. The new bridge, built by the Kovina Construction Company of Mostar, through the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR), with funding from the Dutch Government and the Mostar City Administration, will serve as a symbol of international cooperation.
The bridge, which is a temporary substitute for the world-renowned Ottoman-period bridge that was destroyed by artillery in 1993, is a vital economic link between the East and West sides of the river. An earlier temporary bridge was washed away during floods last winter, and its replacement has been long awaited.
UMCOR's head of mission, Mr. Robert Harris, stated that "we are very pleased that UMCOR is able to play a role in such an important project in the town of Mostar. We remain highly committed to assisting with the establishment of peace and a normal life situation for all persons within the Former Yugoslavia."
This project complements other completed and ongoing projects in the Mostar region by UMCOR, which includes street lights and traffic lights for the Bulevar (the war-damaged boulevard dividing the Croat-controlled west from the Bosniak-controlled east), plus projects in shelter, income generation, agriculture, community development, and infrastructure.
UMCOR has worked in the Former Yugoslavia since 1993. During that time UMCOR has facilitated the return of over 15,000 families of all ethnic groups through the reconstruction of homes and supporting infrastructure including schools, ambulanta (small local medical facilities used in the Former Yugoslavia), roads, and water and electrical infrastructure. UMCOR has ensured the sustainability of those returns by providing more than 1,200 agricultural packages and grants, creating new jobs for returnees and vulnerable individuals, and implementing more than 30 projects to promote an open society and respect for human rights.
Please contribute to "Global Peacebuilding and Reconciliation," Advance #982353. Give through your local United Methodist church or mail contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation. Make your check payable to your local church or "Advance GCFA". One hundred percent of your gift goes to the program.