8.The Council welcomes the fact that a comprehensive Reconstruction and Return  Task Force (RRTF) network now exists on the ground.The RRTF operates across   BiH.It has a counterpart in Croatia. It has developed a Plan of Action for 1999. Recognizing that the maintenance of a secure environment is essential for successful refugee return, the Council welcomes SFOR's intention to provide the assistance necessary to support, within its mandate, the intensified program of refugee return set out above. It notes that the most successful returns have taken place in the areas, such  as Brcko and Central Bosnia, where SFOR has been most closely involved in the planning and implementation. The Council welcomes the establishment of the RRTF/BiH Consultation Group, which provides a high-level link between the RRTF and the BiH authorities.

9. The Council attaches crucial importance to making major progress in returns, especially minority returns, in 1999 by:

• endorsing the RRTF action plan for 1999, which sets out an intensive program to address the three key issues of space, security and sustainability, and includes specific sector plans such a substantial information campaign; and undertaking to provide funding for it;
• requesting the RRTF to ensure that refugees returning from Western Europe   and elsewhere be given the opportunity to participate fully in all appropriate projects within the plan;
• working with the full support of UNMIBH and SFOR to implement the plan, to help create and sustain secure conditions generally, and to offer full support in promoting returns especially in RRTF priority areas.

In this context, the Council welcomes the UNMIBH Strategy on Return and Recruitment of Minority Police endorsed by the RRTF in September.It calls upon all concerned to co-operate fully with its implementation by:

• promoting returns to key cities -- especially Sarajevo as the capital of BiH, and to Mostar and Banja Luka, and implementing in full their relevant obligations;
• urging the removal of all legislative and administrative obstacles to return, establishing and implementing property and housing legislation, and other   legislation necessary for progress in minority returns, and encouraging the High Representative to take appropriate action against those who obstruct this process;
• by implementing the confidence building measures set out in Annex 7 of the Peace Agreement; and facilitating assessment visits of displaced persons to their homes throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina without conditions;
• forging a direct link between financial assistance and co-operation on returns;
• promoting by all possible means a multi-ethnic workforce, free of all forms of discrimination.

11. The Council recognizes the regional dimensions of return as set out in the UNHCR Regional Strategy presented at Luxembourg and in the reports presented to the Humanitarian Issues Working Group of the Council on 20 November. The Council

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