HR deputy Schumacher visited Gornji Vakuf municipality today. Problems in implementation of municipality elections results are the main reason for Schumacher’s announcement of replacement of HDZ and SDA leaders, but also a new set of sanctions that this municipality will be exposed to. Schumacher said that this was one of the last attempt to reach a compromise between people who are responsible from Croat and Bosniak nations. Schumacher added that if a solution is not reached, Gornji Vakuf will be under complete suspension of aid, and perhaps even suspension of whole Assembly. In this case, the International Community would appoint provisional executive body – board.
2:30
Before his visit to Gornji Vakuf, Schumacher also visited Travnik. Analysis of implementation of conclusions from Schumacher’s last week’s visit to Travnik was the main subject of his today’s meeting with MUP officials and governors of police precincts of the canton. Today was also confirmed that Canton MUP will move into the new building at the beginning of the next month. Schumacher and Travnik officials estimated today’s meeting as positive.
2:00
Federation Vice President Soljic met with UN SG Special Envoy Rehn. Main subject of the discussion was finishing of the police restructuring process in cant0ns 8 and 10 and actions to take in order to improve the security situation in BiH Federation.
1:00
US Embassy and USAID highest officials visited Travnik today. Main motive of the visit was opening of the business development office as a part of USAID business development programme. The programme is worth $270 million and it approves credits for BiH enterprises. Ceremony of the office opening was followed by signing of the contract on partnership between “Aurobanka” and USAID as well as two more enterprises. US Ambassador Kauzlarich, and USAID Mission head, Buck were also present at the occasion.
2:30
Bugojno and Prozor representatives commission, established upon signing of the Memorandum on Understanding on June 19 with mediation by HR deputy Schumacher, held its first meeting with discussing the ways of continuous increment of both-ways return to these municipalities. The meetings of this commission will be held regularly on weekly basis in Bugojno and Prozor.
1:30
OHR Regional head in Mostar Sir Martin Garrod announced his resignation after the September elections. Former OSCE Mission chief deputy Richard Ellerkman will replace Garrod at this post. Garrod explained that he was at this post for five years and expressed his hope that many of the objectives that were set out at the last Federation Forum meeting. Garrod called Mostar Croats to return again at today’s addressing to the public.
1:30
HR Westendorp met with BiH Croat officials delegation, led by Federation Vice President Soljic and Prime Minister deputy Bilandzija. Main subject of the discussion was return of 350.000 Croat refugees to BiH. Both sides estimated that existing dynamics of Croat returns is not satisfying and that appropriate actions should be taken in this regard.
1:30
IMF on Tuesday called on all countries and organisations which had pledged financial assistance to BiH to accelerate its implementation. Members of IMF Administrative Board said that amount of realised payment is lower than the sum pledged in the program of assistance.
1:00
Reconstruction of 169 apartments was finished in Dobrinja 4 part of Sarajevo. Sarajevo Canton Government Prime Minister conveyed the first keys to one of reconstructed apartments to its residents.
2:00
Federation Prime Minister Bicakcic and Federation Ministers Smajic and Despotovic met with European Union Mission Head. Kretschmer, discussing the implementation of the project of reconstruction in BiH in which the EU is participating.
1:00
Heavy clashes between Yugoslav Police and Army continued today in the region of Kosovo near the border with Albania. Casualties were reported from both sides and fighting was also renewed in the regions of Decani, Drenica and Djakovica.
2:00
An explosive device was set yesterday in Kakanj, in an office under construction, owned by Marin Situm from Kakanj. Situm has suffered slight injuries and minor material damage was made.
0:30
About 200 members of killed veterans families and invalids blocked the road M-17 near Zenica. The reason for blockade is delay in paying invalids pensions for October 1997. Until the last month, the payment was made on each first of the month and this is the second delay of payment. The road was de-blocked about 5 o’clock afternoon.
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