04 February 98, 19:30
HR Westendorp made the decision about the BiH flag, adopting the version with triangle and stars. OHR spokesman Bullivant said that the flag represents unity and not division. The triangle represents the three constitutive nations, while the stars and blue colour represent Europe. Seemingly, the HR also considered the opinion of the SDP President, Lagumdzija who said that the flag symbolises the EU and America who are responsible for all that is happening.
2:30
The CoM did not accord the Law on the work of CoM today. CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic said that the posts in the CoM should be allocated in accordance with the national structure from 1991. Vice-president Tomic said the Croat side decided that the leading persons in CoM should be determined in accordance with principles of parity, and the rest upon the national structure from 1991. The CoM also did not agree about the budget and the location of the CoM residence.
2:00
UN spokesman Ivanko said that the local police chief in Stolac, Matic was discharged. The new police chief is Boskovic, who is expected to conduct investigations into the recent incidents immediately. HR deputy Schumacher also visited Stolac. Schumacher talked to intimidated families in Stolac, as well as with the local authorities. The scheduled meeting with the Stolac Mayor was supposed to be held in the municipality building. However, since the Croatian flag was waving from the building, Schumacher asked it to be removed. Since this was not done, the meeting was held at another building, but a Herceg-Bosna radio journalist insulted an OHR interpreter, so Schumacher refused to have the meeting until the journalist left the room. Schumacher said that everything is being done in a very planned and co-ordinated manner to intimidate the people to leave the town, and that the IC will not allow this to happen. Schumacher explicitly stressed that the IC wants to see the established office for the return in Stolac, within a week, as well as the team for assessment of the housing fund, and that the returnees to Stolac must be treated as equally as other citizens. Schumacher said that the responsibility for events in Stolac lies on the leading persons of the town, and especially the Mayor, Raguz. Schumacher also stressed that in the case of lack of progress, he will personally ask for the replacement of Raguz, and asked for the usage of the BiH Federation flags, stressing that this is not Croatia, and that the president of this state is not Franjo Tudjman.
3:00
The Arbitration Tribunal for Brcko begins its work tomorrow. Moslem and Croat leaders from Brcko said that it is expected to pass a rightful and just decision, in order to return Brcko citizens to the town.
2:00
BiH President Izetbegovic met with HR Westendorp, discussing the matters of yesterday’s conference on return, the new flag design, privatisation process, and the situation in Mostar. Izetbegovic also received US Special Envoy for economic recovery, Ganz. Izetbegovic also received a visit of the Slovenian Ambassador to BiH, Mirosic.
2:30
Federation Govt held a session discussing, among other matters, the matters of mine cleansing programme.
2:00
The RS Prime-Minister Dodik went to a two-day visit to Germany. During his meeting with the German FA Minster, Kinkel, Dodik expressed the necessity of the International Community aid to the RS. Dodik also said that the return of refugees must go on simultaneously in all parts of former Yugoslavia.
1:30
The Serb Citizen’s Council President, Pejanovic addressed a letter to the European Council Secretary, Torsiz, in which he suggests to accord the entities constitutions with the BiH Constitution, during the procedure of BiH entry to the EC, what would enable the human rights implementation regarding the constitutive status of all three nations in BiH.
2:00
Zepce Municipality Council was established today, in accordance with the municipality elections results.
0:30
An explosion occurred in Mostar, due to the careless handling of a hand grenade by Damir Jusic. IPTF and local police conducted an investigation.
1:30