05.02.1998

OHR BiH TV News Summary, 05 Feb. 1998

05 February 98, 19:30

A commemoration was held today for the victims of ‘Markale’ shelling on February 5 1994, where 66 people were killed and 197 injured. Sarajevo officials laid wreaths and flowers at the memorial plaque. Sarajevo Canton Governor Haracic said that this symbolic and humble act was in order to remember the tragedy suffered by the people of the Capital.
2:00

The countries where Karadzic could settle received obligatory instructions from the ICTY. The ICTY Justice, Arbour will visit Belgrade next week.
0:30

HR Westendorp will make a decision on the re-design of passports in the next few days, reports BiH PRESS. The new passport will not have the names of Entities on the cover page. Westendorp said that the Entity will be revealed inside the passport. BiH TV did not receive an answer in their attempt to verify the information. OHR spokesman, Bullivant commented, saying there will be no changes in the design of the passport. The CoM also commented on the information, saying they had no knowledge about it and that the OHR should take over the obligation only if the Bonn deadlines are not respected.
2:00

The session on Brcko began today in Vienna. Croat representatives are not taking place in the session. Croat representative, Anic only came to deliver the written proposal of the HDZ to establish three national municipalities in the Brcko area, and to pronounce the town a district. The joint decision of participants of the session is that the decision for Brcko must be prolonged no longer. Federal Attorney, Delaine said that the decision must be made for the benefit of the Federation, but Brcko must remain under IC control. The RS Attorney Kostic said that Brcko should remain in the framework of this Entity. Kostic said that this fits into the territorial allocation 51:49%. Federal representative Ganic said that the RS intention is to realise everything that Karadzic made by force through Dodik and more subtle methods. Ambassador Farrand said that if his office withdrew from Brcko, the construction would fall apart and the future of the town would be uncertain.
3:00

Federation Co-president’s cabinet made an announcement saying that the Croat representatives will not take part in the Vienna conference because of unresolved matters regarding the settlement of Bosniaks in part of the Brcko municipality where there are Serb and Croat villages.
1:30

CoM held a session today in Sarajevo discussing the Law on CoM implementation, ministries organisation, and budget. No conclusions were reeached. The session will continue on Tuesday. If the standpoints are not accorded at the next session, HR deputy Schumacher will assist.
1:30

The BiH Army Coat of Arms was promoted today in Sarajevo. (BiH TV news – ‘This is the first Coat of Arms adopted without Schumacher, Steiner and Westendorp.’)
2:00

Croatian Army delegation visited Sarajevo, Bugojno, Travnik and Konjic. The main subject of the visit was discussion with the BiH officials on improvement of the joint military industry. Optimism was shown from both sides, especially in regard to the joint exhibitions of military technology.
1:30

BiH Federal Govt held a session in Mostar, discussing agriculture, waters and forestry, as well as the draft law on taxes. The Govt also discussed the matters of the Govt conclusions regarding the CAFAO reports.
1:30