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OHR Monthly Tracker / Chronology 2000

 
31/12/2000
 

OHR Monthly Tracker / Chronology 2000

Please also consult the OHR's chronology for 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 and 1995

Jan | Feb |Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

January

1 January
  • The position of the Federation president and vice-president rotated, Ejup Ganic became the BiH Federation president and Ivo Andric-Luzanski the vice-president.
  • The Independent Media Commission's " Rule on Broadcast Licence Fees" entered into force, and are a crucial part of the second phase of the licensing procedure.
3 January
  • OHR Press Release on the High Representative's Decision from 30 December 1999 extending the validity of decisions made by the BiH Council of Ministers concerning the imposition of additional import duties on various products for 1999.
  • Croatian Parliamentary elections held.
4 January
  • OHR Press Release on the High Representative's Decision from 30 December 1999 extending the temporary suspension of the powers of municipal authorities, in both entities, to re-allocate certain types of socially owned land.
  • The OSCE announced that the list of proposed candidates for the 2000 municipal elections in BiH were available from that day for public scrutiny at OSCE offices across BiH.
5 January
  • The High Representative congratulated the new political leadership of the Republic of Croatia on their success at the polls (OHR Press Release).
6 January
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, appointed Judge Finn Lynghjem as Deputy High Representative and Head of OHR (South) in Mostar (OHR Press Release).
  • UN Secretary-General appointed Professor Fausto Pocar (Italy) to succeed from 1 February Judge Antonio Cassese (Italy) as a Judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Hague.
7 January
  • The Independent Media Commission adopted new Guidelines for Equitable Access to Media in Election Periods.
10 January
  • Head of the OSCE mission in BiH, Robert Barry and senior Deputy HR, Matei Hoffmann met with the Federation vice-president, Ivo Andric-Luzanski.
12 January
  • The BiH Parliament House of Representatives failed to adopt the Law on State Border Service.
  • The High Representative issued a Decision clarifying the Serbian wording of an article in the RS Law on the Implementation of Decisions of the CRPC (OHR Press Release).
13 January
  • As a result of the BiH Parliament House of Representative's continued failure to adopt the Law on State Border Service, the High Representative decided to impose the required legislation (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative welcomed the agreements reached over the last few days on control of the upper airspace of BiH, which will be released for civil use on 27 January 2000 (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with BiH Intellectual Leaders (OHR Press Release).
14 January
  • ICTY in the Hague sentenced five Bosnian Croats to terms of imprisonment ranging from 6 to 25 years. One of the accused was acquitted. The six were charged in connection with their alleged role in the attack on the village Ahmici in central Bosnian on 16 April 1993, and the massacre of 116 inhabitants of the village, including women and children. The victims were Bosnian Muslim civilians.
  • OHR Press Release - Meeting of the Inter-Entity Commission on Public Corporations (CPC).
15 January
  • The High Representative gave an opening speech on the occasion of the official opening of the Post Graduate Course in European Studies at Sarajevo University.
17 January
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, met with member of the BiH Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic.
  • The High Representative met with the Chairman of the Council of Europe's Ministerial Committee, Irish Foreign Minister David Andrews and the CoE General Secretary Walter Schwimmer.
  • OHR Press Release - OHR response to attacks against Independent Media Commission.
18 January
  • Council of Ministers session.
  • The High Representative met with the chairman of the BiH Presidency, Ante Jelavic.
  • OHR Press Release - The High Representative calls for the creation of a Higher Education Council.
  • Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release: Petritsch and Barry call for Democratic Reforms to Defamation Laws.
19 January
  • The BiH Parliament House of Representatives failed to pass the Draft Election Law.
20 January
  • Brcko Supervisor, Robert W. Farrand issued an Order establishing the Brcko District Police Service.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The High Representative, Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, Robert Barry and SFOR Commander Gen. Ronald Adams observed the seminar on Synthetic Environments for National Security Estimates held jointly by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the OSCE.
  • Provisional Election Commission (PEC) determined that 9 candidates were ineligible to stand for office in the forthcoming municipal elections.
  • Media Issues Group meeting in Sarajevo.
21 January
  • Lt. Gen. Ron Adams, COMSFOR announced that control of BiH Upper air space from 29,000 to 39,000 feet had been turned over from SFOR to local civilian aviation authorities.
  • OHR Press Release - AFU visits Una-Sana Canton.
24 January
  • Croatian presidential elections held.
  • OHR Press Release: Deadline with regard to the Reconnection of Returnees to Telephone Networks Expires Tomorrow.
25 January
  • SFOR detained Mitar Vasiljevic, a Bosnian Serb suspected war criminal who was a member of White Eagles, a paramilitary group headed by Vojislav Seselj. He was wanted under sealed indictment by the ICTY for war crimes committed between April 1992 and October 1994 in the area of Visegrad.
  • OHR Press Release: Human Rights Task Force sets 2000 Agenda.
26 January
  • Joint OHR /OSCE Press Release: Draft Election Law resubmitted to the Parliament.
  • The High Representative met with Displaced Persons and Refugee Associations (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with the human rights activist, Bianca Jagger.
  • ICTY reduced the sentence of Dusko Tadic by five years, ordering him to spend 20 years in prison.
27 January
  • OHR Press Release: The High Representative reacts to Mr. Sarovic's Statement to the RS NA.
  • Croatia's new Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, announced the composition of the Coalition Government of six parties.

February

2 February
  • The BiH Parliament House of Representatives adopted the BiH Federation budget for the year 2000.
3 February
  • Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release: High Representative and Amb. Barry discuss Amended Draft Election Law with Heads of Clubs and Political Parties.
  • OHR Press Release: Neum Workshop on Security and Defence.
  • Media Issues Group meeting in Sarajevo.
4 February
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative supports strict application of property laws.
7 February
  • Second round of the Croatian presidential elections - Stipe Mesic was elected new Croatian president.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: OHR reaction to HDZ position on Financial Police.
7/8 February 8 February 9 February
  • Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release: OHR and OSCE welcome RSNA decision to establish an Ombudsman Institution in the Republika Srpska.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - agreed on the proposal for restructuring the Council of Ministers after the ruling of the Constitutional Court takes effect.
10 February
  • OHR hosted a conference on ways to tackle trafficking in drugs and other drugs related offences in BIH (OHR Press Release)
11 February
  • The High Representative met with the new Croatian Foreign Minister, Tonino Picula in Sarajevo (Joint Statement)
  • French Defence Minister Alain Richard visited Mostar and Sarajevo where he met with the High Representative.
14 February
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, his Principal Deputy Ralph Johnson and the OHR Anti-Fraud unit hosted a conference on Anti-Corruption and Transparency. (Speech by the High Representative)
  • Member of the BiH Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic took over post of the Presidency Chairman for the next eight months.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • Council of Ministers session.
15 February 16 February
  • The High Representative met with the BiH Federation President Ejup Ganic to discuss return issues.
  • The High Representative met with the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic.
  • OHR Press Release: Correction of misleading press reports about the Conclusions of the Symposium on School Curricula.
17 February
  • The Independent Media Commission carried out action to shut down Erotel TV. This action was necessary to implement the IMC Decision of 15 November 1999, which required Erotel to cease its operations, following its failure to accept an IMC Provisional Broadcast Licence.
  • The High Representative met in London with the UK Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook and with Clare Short, Secretary of State for the Department for International Development.
18 February
  • The High Representative delivered a speech at Chatham House in London.
  • The Provisional Election Commission adopted Rule on Incompatibility, a new rule which will prevent elected officials from being directors or members of the steering board, executive board or supervisory board of an enterprise in which more than 25 % of its capital is owned by the government and/or more than 25 % of its business activities are financed from government budgets.
  • Joint OHR/Swedish National Audit Office Press Release: Lack of Progress in the Establishment of Audit Institutions.
21 February 23 February
  • The OSCE Mission to BiH announced the start of the 2000 Municipal Election Campaign.
24 February
  • The High Representative met with Croatian President Stipe Mesic, Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula in Zagreb.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - adopted the Report on Implementation of the New York Declaration, which is to be submitted to the UN Security Council by 1 March.
  • The International Telecommunications Agency handed over a Mobile Monitoring Station to the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (OHR Media Advisory).

March

1 March
  • The High Representative issued a Decision on Amending the Law on Radio-Television Republika Srpska.
  • OHR Press Release: Expiry of the Federation Deadline for Purchasing Socially Owned Apartments.
  • OHR Press Release: Launch of the Anti-Corruption Public Awareness Campaign.
2 March
  • The High Representative gave a speech to the Permanent Council of the OSCE in Vienna.
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative furthers Integrity of Positions of Public Trust.
  • Media Issues Group meeting in Sarajevo.
3 March
  • OHR Press Release: The High Representative discusses Protectorate in DANI.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: Opening of the Directorate for Privatisation Satellite Office in Mostar.
  • Gen. Tihomir Blaskic was found guilty on all charges by the ICTY in the Hague and sentenced to 45 years imprisonment.
5 March
  • SFOR detained Dragoljub Prcac, a Bosnian Serb. He has been charged on the basis of his superior criminal responsibility with four counts of grave breaches of the Geneva conventions, three counts of violations of the laws or customs of war and four counts of crimes against humanity for his alleged responsibility for, among other things, the murder, torture, rape and unlawful confinement of Bosnian Muslims and Croats at the Omarska camp near Prijedor in 1992.
6 March
  • The High Representative met in Paris with the French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine and officials from the Office of President Jacques Chirac.
7 March
  • The High Representative met with the Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka. He also attended a reception by Zeljko Kopanja.
  • The Joint Military Commission meeting held at Camp Ilidza.
  • Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release: OHR and OSCE condemn Izetbegovic's inflammatory language.
  • OHR Press Release: Poor reporting of corruption allegations puts 90 jobs at risk.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: Agreement on the Administration of the Central Zone of the City of Mostar.
8 March
  • The High Representative issued a Decision on the Establishment of the Brcko District of BiH (Speech by the High Representative).
  • The Supervisor for Brcko, Robert W. Farrand issued two Supervisory Orders. The first one declared the Statute of the Brcko District of BiH, and with the second Order, the Supervisor appointed the new interim District Government and the Head of the District Revenue Agency.
  • US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright arrived for a two-day visit to BiH. During her stay she attended the inauguration ceremony of the Brcko District in Brcko. She met with the BiH Presidency, representatives of the opposition and also with Montenegrin President, Milo Djukanovic in Sarajevo. In Banja Luka she met with the Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik and Croatian Foreign Minister, Tonino Picula.
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative offers support to BiH women on occasion of International Women's Day.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - passed the basic documents of the State Border Service.
9 March
  • The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) removed seven candidates from lists for violation of illegal occupancy rule.
  • Croatian Foreign Minister, Tonino Picula and Republika Srpska Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik in presence of US Secretary of State, Medeleine Albright signed a Joint Declaration on two-way return of refugees and displaced persons.
10 March
  • The Independent Media Commission Council adopted amendments to the Broadcast Licence Fees, which had entered into force on 1 January 2000.
13 March
  • NATO Secretary-General, Lord George Robertson visited Sarajevo and met with COMSFOR, Lt. Gen. Ron Adams, the High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch and the three members of the BiH Presidency.
  • The trial of Gen. Radislav Krstic who is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and warcrimes in connection with massacre in Srebrenica in July 1995 started at the ICTY in the Hague.
  • The Federation House of Representative held a session and harmonised the text of the Federation budget in 2000 with the text adopted by the entity House of Peoples.
14 March
  • Ambassadors of countries represented in BiH visited key areas of return across the country at the invitation of the High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, COMSFOR, Lt.Gen. Ronald E.Adams and UNHCR Chief of Mission, Warner Blatter (Joint OHR/SFOR and UNHCR Press Release).
  • OHR Press Release - Property Law Implementation in the RS unsatisfactory.
  • The Management Board of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency adopted the "Telephone Numbering Plan for BiH".
  • Economic Newsletter for March published.
16 March
  • The High Representative issued a Decision on Amending the Decision on the Public Radio Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
17 March
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Austrian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-office.
20 March
  • BiH Presidency meeting with Sadako Ogata.
  • The trial of Dragoljub Kunarac, Radomir Kovac and Zoran Vukovic started at the ICTY in the Hague. The three were accused of crimes against humanity (rape, torture, enslavement) of Bosniak women in Foca in 1992-93.
21 March
  • The Supervisor for Brcko, Robert Farrand issued an Order appointing the 29 councillors of the Interim Brcko District Assembly.
  • Mladen Naletilic "Tuta", a Bosnian Croat charged by the ICTY with crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during 1993-94 Bosniak-Croat war, was transferred from custody in Zagreb to the ICTY in the Hague.
22 March 23 March
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The Croatian President, Stipe Mesic arrived for a two-day official visit to BiH. He met with the BiH Presidency and also separately with each member of the BiH Presidency.
  • Joint OHR. OSCE,UNMiBH, UNHCR, EU and SFOR Press Release: The situation in Canton 10.
24 March
  • The Appeals Chamber at the ICTY in the Hague increased the sentence of Zlatko Aleksovski, a Bosnian Croat to seven years imprisonment.
27 March 29 March
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann met with the three Federation Ombudsmen (OHR Press Release).
30 March
  • The High Representative issued a Decision extending the validity of the Council of Minisiters' Decision on additonal import duties for the year1999 to the 30 June 2000.
  • OHR Press Release: OHR condemns violence against returnees in the RS, in particular Prnjavor
31 March
  • The High Representative visited BBC School of Broadcast Journalism in Sarajevo and delivered a speech at a graduation ceremony.
  • The Supervisor for Brcko, Robert W. Farrand delivered a speech at the Inaugural session of the interim Assembly of the Brcko District.
  • OHR Press Release: Stability Pact: High Representative says BiH must now compete for funds.

April

2 April
  • The High Representative participated at the session of the Association of Independent Intellectuals "Circle 99" in Sarajevo.
3 April
  • SFOR detained Momcilo Krajisnik, who was under a sealed indictment by the ICTY for war crimes.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release: Ante Barisic is removed from office.
4 April
  • Meeting of the Steering Board of the PIC in Sarajevo.(Communique).
5 April
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, delivered a speech to the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He also met with Hans-Peter Furrer, Director General of Political Affairs at the Council of Europe, Lord Russel Johnston, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the CoE, and Terry Davis, Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly (OHR Press Release).
  • Joint OHR/UNMiBH Press Release: OHR and UNMiBH demand resolution of the Zepce problem.
6 April
  • Italian President, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi visited BiH. He met with the BiH Presidency.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: OHR (S) disappointment with the Mostar City Administration Session.
7 April 8 April
  • Municipal elections held in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
10 April
  • Senior Deputy HR, Matei Hoffmann visited Stolac.
  • Mr. Luka Peric, Head of the Public Records Department of the interim Government of the Brcko District of BiH died. (OHR Brcko Press Release).
11 April
  • The PBS Founding Board concluded that the mandate of the General Manager of RTVBiH, Mr. Mirsad Purivatra, was terminated and the Transfer Agent, Mr. John Shearer took office.
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, met with the member of the BiH Presidency, Ante Jelavic.
  • The Independent Media Commission released the Advertising and Sponsorship Code of Practice for Radio and Television.
12 April
  • The Senior Deputy HR, Amb. Matei Hoffmann chaired a meeting with the RS Minister, Federation Minister and Deputy Minister for Education.
  • The House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Law on the Council of Ministers.
13 April
  • Brcko Supervisor, Robert Farrand issued an Order on the Financial System of the Brcko District.
  • The House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Law on the Council of Ministers.
  • Media Issues Group meeting in Sarajevo.
  • OBN Press Release: New programme schedule.
14 April
  • OHR Press Release: Expiry of the April 19 Deadline for Filing Claims to Repossess Socially-Owned Apartments in the Republika Srpska.
15 April
  • OHR Press Release: Appointment of Auditors for the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
18 April 19 April
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Chis Patten, the European Commissioner for External Affairs (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative delivered a speech at the Postgraduate Course in European Studies, at the University of Banja Luka.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • ICTY ordered the provisional release of two Bosnian Serb suspects, Miroslav Tadic and Simo Zaric.
  • Economic Newsletter for April published.
20 April
  • At the meeting of the five BiH journalists associations, OSCE, Irex ProMedia and Independent Media Commission it was agreed to establish a Press Council for BiH.
21 April
  • OHR Press Release: Final Deadline for the Registration for the Privatisation Process in the Republika Srpska - reminder
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative's comments on final election results
22 April
  • SFOR troops detained Dragan Nikolic, who was indicted for war crimes by the ICTY in the Hague.
24 April
  • NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Gen. Wesley Clark arrived in BiH for a two-day farewell visit.
25 April
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with the Chairman of the Regional Return Initiative of the Stability Pact, Amb. Hans Koschnik, and the Deputy Chairman, Donald Kursch, to discuss issues related to refugee return throughout the region.
26 April
  • The High Representative visited Tuzla and met with Cantonal authorities, the SDP leadership, and viewed the Podrinje Identification Project (OHR Tuzla Press Release).
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - agreed to nominate Tihomir Gligoric as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The decision has to be approved by the BiH Parliament.
  • The Principal Deputy HR, Ralph Johnson met with Zivko Radisic, Member of the BiH Presidency (OHR Press Release).
  • OBN Press Release: OBN Signal covers new ground
27 April
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative's Decision on state-owned real property.
  • Media Issues Group meeting in Sarajevo.
28 April
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch met in Sarajevo with Council of Europe Rapporteurs, Mr. Laszlo Surjan and Ms. Anneli Jaatteenmaki to discuss progress made in BiH on meeting the preconditions for accession to the Council of Europe (OHR Press Release).

May

2 May 3 May
  • The High Representative issued a Decision on a separate area code for the Brcko Special District.
  • The High Representative's Report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations published.
  • The International Border Crossing Stara Gradiska - Bosanska Gradiska/Gradiska, between BiH and the Republic of Croatia re-opened for international traffic.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: World Bank Project for Mostar.
4 May
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, delivered an address to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels (OHR Press Release).
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
5 May 7 May 9 May 10 May
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The Princial Deputy High Representative, Ralph Johnson, visited Foca-Srbinje and met with local officials as well as Bosniaks who have spontaneously returned to the area.
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann chaired a second meeting with the RS and Federation Ministers and Federation Deputy Minister of Education.
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann gave the opening address at a three day Council of Europe sponsored symposium on learning and teaching the history of Europe in the 20th century.
11 May
  • The High Representative addressed the Permanent Council of the OSCE in Vienna.
  • NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, arrived to BiH for a two-day introductory visit to SFOR headquarters.
  • Joint OHR/OSCE/UNMiBH/UNHCR and CRPC Press Release: "POSTOVANJE" Property Rights Awareness Campaign.
  • Media Issues Group meeting in Sarajevo.
  • OBN Press Release: Cannes
12 May 12 April
  • The Senior Deputy HR, Amb. Matei Hoffmann chaired a meeting with the RS Minister, Federation Minister and Deputy Minister for Education.
  • The House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Law on the Council of Ministers.
15 May
  • OHR Press Release: The High Representative extends condolences to families of bus crash victims.
16 May
  • The High Representative met with German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, and Defence Minister, Rudolf Scharping in Berlin.
  • The High Representative delivered a speech to the "German Society for Foreign Policy" in Berlin.
  • Economic Newsletter for May published.
17 May
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann met with the Foreign Minister of BiH, Jadranko Prlic.
  • OHR Press Release: OHR condemns attack against Krunoslav Vukovic.
18 May 19 May
  • The Provisional Election Commission decided that the general elections in BiH will be held on 11 November 2000.
22 May
  • The High Representative addressed EU's General Affairs Council in Brussels (OHR Press Release).
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - proposed Spasoje Tusevljak as candidate for the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The BiH Parliament will decide if they will support his candidacy.
  • The High Representative issued a Decision to remove Mr. Stiepo Andrijic from his position of President of the Management Board of the Federation Privatisation Agency.
  • The High Representative issued a Decision on Amending the Law on Banking Agency of the Republika Srpska.
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the OSCE Head of Mission, Robert Barry, removed from office the Governor and Prime Minister of Canton 10, Ivan Ivic and Mirko Mihaljevic (Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release).
23 May
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative removes further obstacles to private sector development.
23/24 May
  • Ministerial meeting of the Peace Implementation Council in Brussels. (Speech by the High Representative, Declaration of the PIC and Statement on Freedom of the Media).
25 May 26 May
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, appointed Amb. Garry Matthews as his Deputy and Supervisor of the District of Brcko (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative visited Trebinje and met with local officials including the newly appointed Mayor of Trebinje, Mihajlo Mijanovic, and representatives of the International Organisations working in that area.
  • The Supervisor of Brcko, Robert W. Farrand issued an Order appointing Mr. Nikola Ristic as Head of the Public Records Department of the interim Government of the Brcko District and Mr. Osman Osmanovic as Head of District Revenue Agency of the Brcko District.
  • The Supervisor of Brcko, Robert W. Farrand appointed the interim District Election Commission of the Brcko District of BiH.
  • OHR Press Release: Comprehensive Financial Assessment of BiH Water Sector Underway.
  • OBN Press Release: Britain and Bosnia.
30 May
  • The Supervisor of Brcko, Robert W. Farrand reinstated Mr. Eldin Mehic to his former position as a voting member of the Multiethnic Housing Commision (OHR Brcko Press Release).
  • OHR Press Release: Clarification
  • Meeting on the Implementation of the May 10 Education Agreement in the Federation. (OHR Press Release).

June

1 June
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann, visited Vares where the Agreement on Education for Returnees in Vares Primary School was reached (OHR Press Release).
2 June
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann, visited the Primary School in Stolac, where, following his intervention, Bosniac returnee children have, as of May 2, 2000, regained access to the municipal school building, and are now attending classes taught under the curriculum of their parents' choice.
5 June
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann, visited Stolac and said that he was satisfied with the implementation of the Stolac School Agreement.
  • OHR Press Release: Privatization Monitoring Commission Ceases Operations.
  • Joint OHR/OSCE Press Release: OHR and OSCE call on Vasic to uphold Rule of Law.
6 June
  • The BiH Parliament House of Representatives confirmed the appointment of Spasoje Tusevljak as Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers.
  • Inauguration of State Border Service at the Sarajevo airport.
  • The Principal Deputy High Representative, Ralph Johnson, officially opened international fairs of "Agrifood 2000", "BIRE 2000", and "SarajevoMedica 2000" at Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo.
  • Economic Newsletter for June published.
7 June
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch met with the members of the BiH Presidency.
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative concerned about Tax Inspection of Dnevni Avaz.
9 June 12 June 14 June
  • The High Representative met with the newly appointed Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Spasoje Tusevljak.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: OHR welcomes the progress in the work of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Authorities.
15 June
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • International Ferry Service was established at the International Border Crossing Brcko-Gunja between BiH and the Republic of Croatia (Joint OHR and USAID Media Advisory).
16 June
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann welcomed the establishment of the national Higher Education Coordination Board by the Entity Ministers of Education and members of the academic community of BiH the day before (Joint OHR, CoE and UNESCO Press Release).
  • The OHR and the German Corporation for Technical Co-operation held a joint seminar at Jahorina and reviewed the new draft Law on Land Registry with the responsible Entity Ministers (Joint OHR and GTZ Press Release).
21 June
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch and Amb. Robert Barry, the Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, presented the draft Freedom of Information legislation for BiH to the public.
  • The High Representative met with the European Parliament delegation for relations with Southeastern Europe, led by Doris Pack.
  • The High Representative met the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Spasoje Tusevljak.
  • The Supervisor of Brcko, Gary Matthews, issued an Addendum to the Supervisory Order on the Financial System of the Brcko District of BiH dated 13 April 2000.
  • OHR Mostar Press Release: OHR (S) condemns vandalism of property.
22 June
  • The BiH Parliament House of Representatives confirmed the new BiH Council of Ministers.
23 June
  • The OBN broadcast a round table discussion between the High Representative and young people from across BiH.
  • The High Representative and Steering Board Ambassadors warned against intimidation of the press (OHR Press Release).
25 June
  • SFOR detained a war crimes suspect, Dusko Sikirica. He is charged with committing crimes against humanity, violations of the laws or customs of war and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
27 June
  • The High Representative visited Banja Luka and met with the Mufti of Banja Luka and visited the site of Ferhadija Mosque. He also hosted a round table discussion on economic issues. While in Banja Luka the High Representative visited the local housing office and discussed the unsatisfactory state of property law implementation in Banja Luka.
  • UNMiBH Deputy SRSG, Julian Harston and Deputy High Representative for Reconstruction and Return, Andy Bearpark launched a multi-ethnic police recruitment campaign supported by OHR and UNMiBH.
28 June
  • The Senior Deputy High Representative, Matei Hoffmann presented the new Education for Peace (EFP) Program (OHR Press Release).
  • Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Gen. Joseph W. Ralston visited SFOR troops in BiH and met with the High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch and SFOR Commander in BiH, Lt. Gen. Ronald E. Adams.
  • The High Representative issued a Decision that suspends the application of the RS Law on the Privatisation of State Owned Apartments (OHR Press Release).
29 June
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch and Amb. Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH visited Bihac.
  • OHR Press Release: OHR welcomes Mostar School Agreement.
29/30 June
  • The High Representative participated at the meeting of the "Club of Three" in Brussels (Speech by the High Representative).
30 June
  • OHR Brcko Press Release: Statement of Amb. Gary Matthews, Deputy HR and Supervisor of Brcko on the June 21 Addendum on Brcko District Finances.

July

4 July
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch and COMSFOR, Gen. Ronald Adams visited Srebrenica.
  • The High Representative visited Mostar and met with Mostar Deputy Mayor, Neven Tomic.
  • OHR Press Release: Decision by the BiH Constitutional Court.
  • OHR Press Release: Anti-corruption training and education.
6 July
  • Council of Ministers session.
7 July 10 July
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch delivered a speech at the opening of an exibition of handicraft by women of Srebrenica in remembrance of the victims of Srebrenica.
11 July 12 July
  • The High Representative visited Brcko, together with the Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, Amb. Robert Barry, the Secretary-General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Amb. Rohan and the Austrian Ambassador in BiH, Amb.Jandl.
  • Joint OHR Mostar, OSCE, UNMiBH, UNHCR and SFOR Press Release: Suspension of the Double Occupancy Phone-Line
13 July 14 July
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
  • The High Representative and the BiH Presidency discussed the development of the Public Broadcasting Service (OHR Press Release).
17 July
  • The High Representative visited Pale and Rogatica to discuss return and property law implementation issues there with local and international authorities.
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Amb. Robert Barry, removed Mr. Emin Skopljak, from his position in the Telecommunications Regulation Agency.
18 July
  • The High Representative. Wolfgang Petritsch, appointed Mr. Gerhard Sontheim Deputy Head of the OHR Regional Office in Brcko (OHR Press Release).
  • U.S. Gen. Henry Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Sarajevo and met with COMSFOR, Lt. Gen. Ron Adams.
19 July
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch met with NATO Secretary-General, George Robertson. He also met with the NAC ambassadors.
  • NATO Secretary-General, George Robertson officially opened newly constructed SFOR base in Butmir near Sarajevo.
21 July
  • OHR Press Release: OHR disappointed with lack of agreement on implementation of May 10th Education Agreement (OHR Press Release).
27 July 28 July 31 July
  • NATO Supreme Allied Commander (SACEUR) Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, arrived in Sarajevo for a brief visit to SFOR headquarters.

August

3 August
  • The Principal Deputy High Representative, Ralph Johnson, visited Banja Luka.
7 August
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, issued a Decision on Amending the Law on Filling a Vacant Position of the Member of the Presidency of BiH (OHR Press Release).
15 August
  • The Principal Deputy HR, Ralph Johnson visited Suceska and met with returnees to the area.
17 August
  • The Supervisor of Brcko, Gary Matthews issued an Order appointing Mrs. Jasna Cejvanovic as Magistrate in the Brcko District (OHR Brcko Press Release).
  • Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions present in BiH visited an exhumation site located between Han Pijesak and Sokolac.
18 August
  • The High Representative issued a Decision amending the Federation Law on Fund Management Companies and Investment Funds.(OHR Press Release)
20 August
  • German Minister of Defence, Rudolph Scharping visited Sarajevo.
22 August
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency.
23 August
  • The Agreement enabling the First and Third Primary School in Bugojno to operate in one building was signed in Bugojno.
24 August
  • The OHR, UNMIBH, UNHCR and CRPC made available the statistics of the progress in property law implementation in each municipality.
28 August
  • Chairman of the International Commission for Missing Persons, US Senator Bob Dole officially opened BiH Missing Persons Institute in Sarajevo.
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency with Bob Dole.
29 August
  • The BiH Parliament House of Representatives adopted the Law on State Treasury.
  • The High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch, COMSFOR Lt. Gen. Ronald E.Adams, and UNHCR Chief of Mission Werner Blatter invited the Ambassadors of countries represented in BiH to visit, by helicopter on 31 August, key areas of return across the country (Joint OHR, SFOR and UNHCR Press Release).
30 August 31 August
  • Council of Ministers session

September

5 September
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with leaders of the four religious communities of BiH (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative delivered a speech at the Volksbank in Vienna
7 September
  • The High Representative removed fifteen public officials for obstructing Property Law implementation (OHR Press Release).
  • The High Representative delivered a speech at the International Forfaiting Conference in Seefeld
  • Council of Ministers session
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative works to put BiH on international investment map
  • OHR Press Release: OHR launches 2nd phase of Anti-Corruption Campaign
8 September
  • BiH and FRY vehicle insurance industries agreed on mutual recognition regime for cross-border traffic (OHR Press Release)
  • Joint OHR, the World Bank and IMF Press Release: The High Representative, IMF and World Bank warn failure to adopt amendments to Pension Law will see BiH lose more than $ 150 million in international funding
  • General Ronald Adams handed over SFOR command in BiH to General Michael Dodson.
9 September
  • The High Representative visited Kopaci/Srpsko Gorazde to investigate obstacles related to property repossession and property law implementation issues there.
12 September 14 September 15 September 17 September
  • The third anniversary of the helicopter crash near Fojnica in which five members of OHR and seven members of the UN Mission, tragically lost their lives.
19 September
  • The Government of the RS, the Federation of BiH and the Brcko District of BiH, under the auspices of the Supervisor of Brcko, Amb. Gary Matthews agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the arbitration Final Award for Brcko (OHR Brcko Press Release)
20 September
  • The High Representative met with the member of the BiH Presidency, Ante Jelavic
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative welcomes preliminary results in Leutar investigation
22 September
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency
  • The High Representative opened the Fifth International Car Fair "Auto Moto Fest 2000" in Sarajevo.
25 September 26 September
  • An implementation agreement on the teaching of both Cyrillic and Latin scripts in BiH schools was reached by Education Ministers (OHR Press Release).
  • Council of Ministers session.
27 September
  • Meeting of the Steering Board of the PIC in Brussels (Communiqué)
28 September 29 September
  • The High Representative imposed Amendments to the Law on Travel Documents introducing a single national passport (OHR Press Release).
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - agreed to nominate Martin Raguz for the new Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers.
  • The High Representative met in Sarajevo with Lojze Peterle, the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

October

3 October
  • The High Representative met Carla Del Ponte, chief prosecutor of the ICTY, in Sarajevo (OHR Press Release)
  • The High Representative addressed members of the North Atlantic Council, including NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson, by video-link to support the case for the continued presence of SFOR in BiH (OHR Press Release).
4 October
  • The High Representative met with the President of the ICTY Tribunal, Judge Claude Jorda, in the Hague.
5 October
  • Council of Ministers session.
  • The OHR welcomed the announcement by the German government that it plans to provide 3 million DEM to fund tax reform in BiH (OHR Press Release).
  • Joint OHR Mostar/EU Press Release: Opening of the school in Prekaja
  • Slobodan Milosevic admitted that he had lost the elections. Vojislav Kostunica takes office as new President of the FRY.
5/6 October
  • OHR hosted a two-day conference on tax reform in BiH.
6 October
  • The High Representative imposed a Decision to integrate the municipality of Zepce into the Zenica-Doboj Canton (OHR Press Release)
10 October 11 October 12 October
  • The High Representative's article was published in Financial Times
13 October
  • The High Representative appointed the members of the Interim Board which will replace the Municipal Assembly and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Zepce Municipality (OHR Press Release).
  • OHR Press Release: OHR, the World Bank and IMF meet with Pensioners' Representatives
  • The Principal Deputy HR, Ralph Johnson visited an exhumation site in the Slap area in the Zepa municipality.
14 October
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency - Zivko Radisic took over duties from Alija Izetbegovic as the President of the BiH Presidency. President Alija Izetbegovic wihdrew from the BiH Presidency and was replaced by Halid Genjac.
16 October
  • German Ambassador Matthias Sonn assumed the post of the Senior Deputy High Representative, replacing Ambassador Matei Hoffmann (OHR Press Release).
17 October
  • The High Representative's Report to the United Nations Secretary-General published
17/18 October
  • The High Representative visited Mostar and met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, with students from Mostar University. He also attended the Economic Conference, visited Cantonal Court and Dubrava/Prenj Agricultural Cooperative.
18 October
  • The BiH House of Representatives confirmed Martin Raguz as the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers.
  • The BiH House of Representatives adopted the Law on Freedom of Information and the Draft Law on Ombudsman for BiH
19 October
  • Council of Ministers session.
20 October
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch met with the new Yugoslav President, Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade (OHR Press Release).
23 October 24 October
  • The Mayor of Brcko, Sinisa Kisic, the Federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic, the RS Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy HR, Supervisor of Brcko, Amb. Gary Matthews signed the following agreements:
    1. Agreement on the Implementation of the Entity Obligations from the Final Arbitral Award for Brcko on returns, Reconstruction and the Problems of Displaced Persons,
    2. Agreement on the Implementation of the Entity Obligations set forth by the Final Arbitral Award for Brcko,
    3. Agreement on the Implementation of the Entity Obligations from the Final Arbitral Award for Brcko on Pensions,
    4. Agreement on the Implementation of the Entity Obligations from the Final Arbitral Award for Brcko on Health Care and Health Insurance.
25 October
  • The High Representative issued a decision on the location of a cemetery for the victims of Srebrenica (OHR Press Release)
  • The High Representative handed over the first diplomatic State passport for BiH at the Passport Ceremony in Sarajevo.
  • The High Representative met with representatives of the Srebrenica families associations.
  • The opening ceremony of the International Border Crossing Brcko-Gunja between BiH and the Republic of Croatia.
26 October 28 October
  • The High Representative issued two Decisions extending deadlines in both Entities for the enforcement of certificates issued by the CRPC, which relate to socially-owned property (OHR Press Release)
31 October
  • The High Representative visited and held meeting in Lukavica and Gacko. In Lukavica, he visited NGO IDIS. In Gacko, he met with the Mayor, the Chief of Police and the head of the OMI to support the implementation of the property laws in this region.

November

2 November
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch delivered a speech to "Circle 99"
  • Council of Ministers session
3 November
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency
5 November
  • Statement by Amb.Gary Matthews, Deputy High Representative and Supervisor of Brcko condemning the threats against various officials and their families by extremist elements
7 November
  • "Vote for a Better Life" - The High Representative and Steering Board on the upcoming elections (OHR Press Release)
  • The High Representative delivered a speech at the fifth Annual Swiss Government Conference on Cooperation with Eastern Europe, in Bern
9 November
  • Council of Ministers session.
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative lobbies for BiH in Switzerland
10 November
  • Meeting of the BiH Presidency. The BiH Presidency met with Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
  • The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch visited Zenica and met with the Director and employees of the Steel Factory.
11 November
  • General Elections held for BiH House of Representatives, RS Presidency and RS National Assembly, Federation House of Representatives, Federation Cantonal Assemblies and the Municipality of Srebrenica.
12 November
  • The High Representative imposed package of laws to strengthen state institutions, help kick-start BiH economy and ensure continued international funding (OHR Press Release)
15 November
  • OHR welcomed agreements ensuring continued mandates of BiH Ombudsman, Human Rights Chamber and Commission for Real Property Claims until end 2003. (OHR Press Release)
  • The High Representative issued a Decision suspending Edin Suljic without pay from the post of Chief Inspector of the Financial Police and banning him from taking any other post therein
  • The High Representative issued a Decision suspending Dragan Zelinka without pay from the post ofDeputy Chief Inspector of the Financial Police and banning him from taking any other post therein
16 November
  • High Representative acts on Federation Prime Minister's Decision on Financial Police (OHR Press Release)
17 November 20 November
  • The High Representative addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna
  • OHR Press Release: Symposium in Austria on the fight against corruption, fraud and crime in BiH
21 November
  • OHR Press Release: High Representative urges BiH to catch winds of change five years after Dayton
22 November
  • High Representative met FRY Foreign Minister, Goran Svilanovic, and urged swift establishment of diplomatic relations between FRY and BiH (OHR Press Release)
  • Council of Ministers session
23 November 24 November
  • The High Representative delivered a speech at the EU's Summit on the Balkans in Zagreb
  • The High Representative's article "Bring War Criminals to Book" was published in the Wall Street Journal Europe.
  • OHR Press Release: Clarification related to Article 143 of the Federation Labour Law
30 November
  • Council of Ministers session
  • OHR Press Release: Independent Judicial Commission takes on development of Judiciary in BiH

December

December 2000 was dominated by the general election results; laws imposed by the High Representative in economic areas including pensions and the closure of the payment bureaux; and the establishment of diplomatic relations between BiH and Yugoslavia.

As the results of BiH general elections held in November were released, combinations of possible coalitions between various parties took up much space in the media.

The most influential Bosniak party, the SDA (Party of Democratic Action), announced on December 5 that it was ready to cooperate with the other two national parties, the Serb SDS (Serb Democratic Party) and the Croat HDZ (Croat Democratic Union) at certain levels of authority. At the same time representatives of opposition parties, led by the SDP (Social Democratic Party), lobbied for the establishment of an Alliance for Change.

Haris Silajdzic and his S BiH (Party for BiH) set pre-conditions for the international community in order to join the moderate Alliance for Change coalition. The High Representative responded to Silajdzic's letter saying that the OHR cannot take over the responsibility for the implementation of the peace process from the local authorities.

Election results in the RS provoked strong reactions from the international community, especially from the United States which said it would not support a Republika Srpska government if it included members of the SDS. The SDS's senior leadership signed on December 12 a statement at the OHR promising to fully implement property legislation, push refugee returns, strengthen joint institutions and cooperate with the Hague War Crimes Tribunal.

At the constitutive session of the RS National Assembly held in the penultimate week of December, the SDS, in alliance with other parties, planned to secure 51 of the 83 seats in the Assembly.

On December 29 the BiH Parliament House of Representatives held its constitutive session, electing the SDP's Sead Avdic as chairman, the SNSD-DSP's Zeljko Mirjanic as the first vice-chairman and the HDZ's Mariofil Ljubic as the second vice-chairman.

The High Representative imposed amendments to the Pensions Laws in both Entities on November 12 to alleviate the hard circumstances for pensioners in BiH. RS pensioners in the first week of the month protested because of late arrival of pensions while pensioners in the Federation criticized the new law, saying their pensions would be cut and not paid on time. Pensioners demonstrated outside the OHR on December 20.

There were a series of demonstrations held in front of the OHR building in Sarajevo. Bosniak refugees from Bratunac held a peaceful protest demanding that the OHR ensures their safe return to their pre-war homes. Bosniak refugees from Kotorsko near Doboj demanded that the High Representative prevent the RS authorities from allocating socially-owned land to Serbs who refuse to return to the Federation. The Association of Srebrenica Victims and Families in a statement protested against an OHR decision to name the former High Representative, Swedish diplomat Carl Bildt, as a member of the Advisory Board for the Potocari Memorial project.

BiH and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia established diplomatic relations on December 15. BiH and Croatia signed an agreement on free trade. The BiH authorities, as part of an attempt to crack down on illegal immigrants passing through Bosnia, imposed visas for Iranians who, along with Turkish nationals, make up most of those who try to reach western Europe illegally via BiH.

The High Representative's message to BiH citizens in his last public address of the year was summarised by BiH media thus: ``The threat of war is over, now is the time to build the state!''

CHRONOLOGY

November 30:

  • The BiH Independent Judiciary Commission is established following a decision by the High Representative ( PR Nov 30- IJC)
December 1:
  • Banja Luka authorities further delay the issuance of the construction permit for the rebuilding of Ferhadija mosque
December 2:
  • The High Representative removes Livno canton Minister of Interior, Branko Matic, due to his obstruction of the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the frequent abuse of his position (PR Dec 2 -HR Removes Canton 10 Minister)
December 4:
  • In an interview with a Sarajevo weekly, newly elected RS President Mirko Sarovic said the RS needs an adequate law to regulate its relationship with the ICTY, since the current law precludes the entity from extraditing the indicted war criminals to The Hague
December 5:
  • The SDA announces that it is ready to cooperate with other nationalist parties, the HDZ and the SDS, on certain levels of authority
  • BiH Workers Union warns that 200,000 workers may lose jobs due to the closure of Payment Bureaus
  • Pensioners in the RS continue protests and demonstrations because of late pensions
December 6:
  • Miodrag Simovic, a judge of the RS Constitutional Court, told a Sarajevo newspaper the RS is ready for a new constitution following the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court on the constituent status of all peoples on the territory of BiH
  • The High Representative addresses an open letter to BiH pensioners: BiH authorities are responsible for collecting funds for the timely disbursement of pensions (PR Dec 5- HR Open Letter to Pensioners)
  • The OHR rejects the possibility of 200,000 workers in the Federation losing their jobs due to the closure of Payment Bureaus
  • The High Representative issues decision abolishing the Skelani municipality in Srebrenica, which prevented the return of Bosniak refugees from the area ( PR Dec 6 - OHR establishes a pre-war municipality)
December 7:
  • BiH imposes visas for Iranian citizens because of increasingly high number of illegal immigrants who enter BiH in hope to reach a third country
  • Srebrenica victims and families' associations protest the appointment of Carl Bildt to the Advisory Board of the Potocari Memorial project
  • BiH Pensioners demand the withdrawal of the OHR-imposed Law on Pension Fund
December 8:
  • OHR appeals to local authorities in the Federation to urgently accept laws which regulate the official ending of the institution of the occupancy right
  • The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council meets in Brussels and calls on the High Representative to continue using his powers to ensure the full implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement; the Steering Board also approves a 25.5 million Euros budget for the OHR in the year 2001 ( - PR Dec 8 - SB Communiqué)
December 11:
  • The HDZ conditions its participation in the implementation of the elections results by the PEC's (Provisional Elections Commission) withdrawal of its new rules on the elections of deputies to the Federation Parliament's House of Peoples
  • The Alliance for Changes Troika (the SDP, the Party for BiH, NHI) widens its circle and invites smaller parties to join
  • OSCE Head of Mission Robert Barry calls for a drastic reduction of the entity armies in BiH
December 12:
  • Senior leadership of the SDS signs a statement promising to fully implement property legislation, returns, the strengthening of the joint institutions, and cooperation with The Hague-based war crime tribunal ( PR Dec 13 - Meeting of the OHR and SDS)
  • The RS and the Federation Workers Unions agree to form a joint Union in the Brcko District
December 13:
  • The BiH Ambassador to the UN, Muhamed Sacirbegovic, announces he is resigning due to his dissatisfaction with the work up until now of the International Community in BiH and "too passive local factors"
  • The US Ambassador, Thomas Miller, stresses that the US Government will not support the RS Government if it includes the SDS
  • International Organizations in BiH start a new media campaign "Dosta je!" on housing issues ( PR Dec - "Dosta je" Campaign)
  • The High Representative imposes the Law on Human Rights Ombudsman in BiH and amends the Law on Administrative Fees ( PR Dec 13 - HR Amends law / PR Dec 13 - HR imposes the law on Human)
December 14:
  • The SDS, the PDP and the SPRS will form a majority in the RS National Assembly
  • OHR stresses the High Representative will not revoke the Law on Pension Fund and suggests pensioners to direct their anger at responsible local authorities, i.e., the Federation Government
  • The High Representative publishes a book on BiH entitled "BiH - Five years After Dayton"
  • The High Representative delivers a speech at the Swedish Institute for International Affairs on the prospects of BiH taking part in the process of the European Integration ( PR Dec 14 - HR's Speech)
December 15:
  • After nearly a decade after BiH's independence, BiH and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia establish diplomatic relations
  • The OHR says the Croat National Assembly cannot make any legally biding decisions for Bosnian Croats
  • US Ambassador to BiH, Thomas Miller, says Petritsch's "deal" with the SDS leadership (see item 1, December 12) is "worthless", since the SDS will unlikely hold its promises
December 16:
  • Constitutive session of the Croat National Assembly held in Tuzla - The assembly says all decisions of this body to be binding for Croat representatives in BiH Government
December 18:
  • Following a series of unexplained violent incidents in Podrinje (Eastern BiH), including one death in a blast from an anti-tank mine, Bosniak returns to this area are BiH temporarily halted
  • The RS National Assembly holds a constitutive session in Banja Luka - the SDS aimed to secure 51 of 83 seats in alliance with other parties (the SDS has 31 seats) despite earlier promises, FRY President Vojislav Kostunica fails to visit Banja Luka during the constitutive session of the RS NA
  • Bosniak refugees from Bratunac hold peaceful demonstration in front of the OHR building in Sarajevo demanding that the OHR ensures their safe return to their pre-war homes in the Bratunac area
December 19:
  • BiH and the Republic of Croatia sign an agreement on free trade between two countries
  • BiH Constitutional Court says it has jurisdiction to rule over the decisions imposed by the High Representative
  • Bosniak refugees from Kotorsko near Doboj hold peaceful demonstration in front of the OHR building in Sarajevo demanding that the OHR prevents the RS authorities in Kotorsko from allocating socially-owned land to Serbs who refuse to return to their pre-war homes in the Federation
December 20:
  • Talks between all former Yugoslav republics on the succession of the former SFRY property end in Brussels - First results expected in 2001
  • Association of pensioners from the Federation hold demonstrations in front of the OHR building in Sarajevo expressing their dissatisfaction with the newly-imposed Law on Pension Fund
  • The High Representative writes to Party for BiH's Haris Silajdzic - the OHR cannot take over the responsibility for the implementation of the peace process from the local authorities. This letter is the reply of the High Representative to November 29th requirements of the Party for BiH [SBiH] for its participation in the new government.( PR Dec 20 - HR Responds to Party for BiH)
  • The High Representative imposes a new set of economic laws, including closure of the payment bureaux, to further improve the process of the economic reform in BiH ( PR Dec 20 - HR imposes package of economic laws)
December 21:
  • Discussing the OHR priorities for the year 2001, the High Representative said in Sarajevo his office will continue to focus on three issue in the next year - economic reform, refugee return and the strengthening of the state institutions
  • NATO Secretary General, George Robertson, visits Sarajevo and appeals for a more substantial progress in the implementation of the peace process
  • Head of the OHR Mostar, Finn Lynghjem, leaves BiH. His successor is the former British ambassador to Croatia, Colin Munroe ( - PR Dec 21 - Judge Lynghjem)
December 22:
  • The High Representative makes his last public address to BiH citizens in the year 2000 and states his main priorities for the coming period: returns, economic reform and functioning state institutions
  • The High Representative annuls the Federation Government's decision to allow the import of cars with fraudulent papers and calls the Federation Prime Minister "unfit for a position of public trust" ( PR Dec 22 - HR Annuls Fed PM's decision)
December 26:
  • Party for BiH's Haris Silajdzic replies to Wolfgang Petritsch - S BiH needs a clear promise that those who obstruct the peace process will be penalized and asks for an interim solution for the decision on the constituent status of all peoples in BiH
  • SDA's Alija Izetbegovic says his party gives a full support to S BiH requirements
  • Prime Minister Edhem Bicakcic denies having any connection with the Federation Government's decision to allow the import of cars with fraudulent papers and asks for a public apology from the High Representative
  • RS President Mirko Sarovic (SDS) nominates PDP's Mladen Ivanic as the Prime Minister designate of the RS
December 27:
  • Banja Luka pensioners continue with protests and ask the RS Government to finally resolve the pensions issues
December 28:
  • The Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Zivko Radisic, visits Belgrade and holds talks on establishment of special parallel relations between RS and Yugoslavia with the FRY President, Vojislav Kostunica
December 29:
  • BiH Parliament's House of Representatives holds constituent session: SDP's Sead Avdic elected chairman, SNSD-DSP's Zeljko Mirjanic - first vice-chairman, HDZ's Mariofil Ljubic - second vice-chairman
  • The RS President, Mirko Sarovic, and the FRY President, Vojislav Kostunica, agree on the terms of special parallel relations between the FRY and the RS
  • Federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic, appointed as the General Manager of Elektroprivreda (the main electricity provider in the Federation) although not effective until published in Federations's official gazette
  • BiH media report that Biljana Plavsic, the SNS President and a war time leader of the Bosnian Serbs, is summoned to The Hague warcrimes tribunal
December 31:
  • U.S. Ambassador Thomas Miller and the High Representative designated the international personalities of the year in BiH by most Federation media
  • The High Representative's New Year's address to citizens of BiH summarised in newspaper headine: "The threat of war is over, now is the time to build the state!" ( PR Dec 29 - HR NY address);

ECONOMIC STATISTICS
RETURN STATISTICS

See Link to the UNHCR Mission to BiH web page at www.unhcr.ba or see the latest statistics on the attached PDF files: 1 & 2.

1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002

Office of the High Representative