Headlines
- Members of the BiH Presidency signed a document on establishment of state border customs service
- Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Robert Barry, announced dates of the forthcoming local elections in BiH
- Javier Solana and Wesley Clark in Pristina
- OSCE appointed head of its mission in Kosovo
- First public addressing of heads of the Canton, Interior Ministry, Public Prosecution Office and Court of the Sarajevo Canton regarding perpetrators of criminal acts in the Sarajevo Canton
Sarajevo
Members of the BiH Presidency agreed to appoint experts that would prepare a draft of the law on the establishment of the state border customs service, with the cooperation of OHR, UN and experts from other international organizations. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and Communication of the BiH Council of Ministers is responsible for the implementation of the project. The High Representative in BiH, Carlos Westendorp, and the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, Elizabeth Rehn, were both present. OBN journalist, Sanjin Beciragic, produced the report.
Prague
The Central Europe Initiative ministers’ meeting was held in the Czech Republic. The BiH delegation at the meeting was headed by the BiH Foreign Minister, Jadranko Prlic. In a special phone call for OBN from Prague, the Minister said that the main topic of discussion was the situation in Kosovo, although BiH had not been forgotten.
Kosovo
A report on the arrival of the NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, and the Alliance’s Commander, General Wesley Clark, in Pristina. Upon their arrival, Clark and Solana met with the Commander of the International Peace Troops in Kosovo, the British General Michael Jackson. A report on the current events in Kosovo followed. Natasa Narancic, OBN reporter from Belgrade, reported on the political situation in Serbia.
After his seven day tour of Europe, the US President, Bill Clinton, will ask the US Congress to approve funds for the economic reconstruction of the Balkans, the Voice of America Radio reports. The Swiss authorities decided to freeze funds that Slobodan Milosevic and four other individuals, indited for war crimes, have deposited in that country.
Sarajevo
A report on the announcement of a new date for the local elections in BiH. Previously, the elections were scheduled for November this year. Due to the current political situation in the region, the OSCE have decided to prolong the elections until April 8th, 2000, OBN journalist, Amarildo Gutic, reported.
Zenica
A report on the meeting between the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, Elizabeth Rehn, with the Minister of Justice of the Zenica – Doboj Canton. They were discussing problems of operating and funding the court in Zepce.
This was followed by a report on the Zepce SDA position not to sign an agreement on Zepce. The OHR announced they would recommend doners not to invest in Zepce if the agreement is not signed. The Municipality Mayor, Sefik Zvekic, and the OHR spokesperson, Alexandra Stiglmayer, commented on this issue.
Prijedor
A report on the visit of the Deputy High Representative for Reconstruction and Development, Andy Bearpark, to Sanski Most and Prijedor. The visit has shown again that the current authorities are not up to the task, OBN reporter from Prijedor Milena Letic – Joves reported.
Mine Clearing
A report on mine clearing in BiH. Approximately 2,300 square kilometers in BiH is still riddled with mines. A new mechanical device for mine clearing was presented today which should speed up the process of de-mining.
Sarajevo
A report on the current struggle against crime in the Sarajevo Canton. For the first time, the heads of the Canton, Interior Ministry, Public Prosecution Office and Court of the Sarajevo Canton addressed the public regarding the perpetrators of criminal acts in the Sarajevo Canton. OBN journalist and presenter, Danijela Bozic, produced a report.
Kalinovik
A report on the start of the exhumation of Bosniak bodies in the Kalinovik Municipality. This is the first exhumation in this RS area.
Sarajevo
For the first time after the end of the war in BiH, four national cultural associations (the Bosniak, Serb, Croat and Jew) have organised a round table meeting about “The Cultural Identity in BiH”.
Sport
A report from the tennis tournament in Wimbledon was followed by a report on the return of the BiH basketball team from the European Championship.