Italian President Scalfaro visited Sarajevo today. Scalfaro met with Presidency President Izetbegovic, Presidency members Krajisnik and Zubak as well as with CoM representatives. Main subjects of the conversations were current situation in BiH, Italian role in BiH as well as the situation in Kosovo.
2:00
BiH Presidency President Izetbegovic sent his greetings to the French President on French national holiday, in which he also thanks for support and intentions of France to fulfill obligations from Dayton and Paris agreements.
1:00
BiH Parliament HoR adopted draft Law on Privatisation of enterprises and banks. One of the issues raised at the session was also the matter of passport issuance. After the Internal Affairs Minister deputy Zivalj said that issuing of passports within the scheduled deadline may be only in symbolic terms and Slobodan Bijelic openly called Ambassador Schumacher, HR deputy Schumacher, who was also present at the session, answered saying that passports can be issued as from today in Republika Srpska and in the Federation from the next week. If the issuing remains late after the fulfillment of technical conditions, according to Schumacher, ministers of internal affairs of the two entities will bear the responsibility.
2:00
BiH Federation Government held a session today. The Government determined the draft Law on Rights of Veterans and members of their families, setting the rights for all categories in this society structure.
1:30
Another front has been opened in Kosovo today. Since early morning Yugoslav Army is shelling villages in the area of Albanian border. Heavy combats also continued in regions of Djakovica and Mitrovica municipalities. All available information is that conflicts are very strong and that Kosovo Liberation Army is successfully resisting attacks.
1:30
Regional OHR chief in Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod severely condemned Croat leaders who do nothing on return of their people to municipalities North, Southeast and Stari Grad, as covered by the plan for return. Sat today’s presser, Garrod called all Croats to immediately return to their houses in these municipalities.
2:00
Process of return to Prijedor began, regardless of continuous obvious obstructions. Implementation of the first phase of Prijedor Initiative, adopted by City Assembly two months ago, began in village of Alesici, and reconstruction in Kozarac is also at hand.
2:00
Bijeljina refugees’ representatives are calling the International Community representatives to assist in return of Bijeljina citizens to this town. Many of them have returned to Tuzla municipality where they are accommodated with families or rented rooms. It is anticipated that 5000 more of them will return in the following several months. Returnees are also facing great administrative obstacles in the process of registration of return.
2:00
HR Westendorp appointed OHR Public Affairs department head Simon Haselock for his deputy in charge of following the situation in BiH media. At today’s presser, Haselock exposed standpoints and expectations of OHR in regard with RTV BiH reconstruction and future. Haselock said that OHR expects BiH authorities and politicians to make draft law as soon as possible that will assure financial and technical assistance for RTV BiH. Haselock said that Presidency was supposed to deliver the list of names, proposed for the RTV BiH Managing Board to HR, who decided to accept only some of names in order to assure that parties officials will not be present at the Board. HR supports establishment of true public broadcasting in BiH in accordance with highest European standards
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