Headlines
- UN Secretary General visits Macedonia today
- NATO Secretary General announced Alliance open cease fire idea
- Most of today’s meetings affected by Donor Conference scheduled for tomorrow
- International activities of BiH – meetings with Croatian and Russian delegations
- Bosnian – Swedish Conference in Tuzla
- Topic of TV Info – support of buildings reconstruction in Mostar and Janja
- Volleyball – BiH defeated Czech Republic
Brussels
BiH Council of Ministers delegation and other delegations from both BiH entities came to Brussels today in order to attend the last, fifth donor conference for BiH scheduled for Thursday and Friday. This was the first time that representatives of BiH authorities, on their way to an international meeting, flew on the same plane.
Yugoslavia
NATO continued strikes against Yugoslavia last night. According to the Alliance, six Yugoslav planes were destroyed on the ground in the vicinity of the Prizren town. An oil store near Belgrade and an ammunition factory near Valjevo were also targeted.
Macedonia
UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, visited Macedonia today. Yesterday in Skoplje, UN sources announced that more than 50,000 refuges have been evacuated to date. This is a half of the 100,000 refugees that Western countries promised to secure. OBN reporter from Skopje, Safet Bisevac, sent his report.
Yugoslavia
Yugoslav authorities have shown some readiness for accepting a plan of the seven most developed countries of the world and Russia, on solving the Kosovo crisis. However, this initiative has been taken cautiously by the West for the Yugoslav President had given too many promises in the past.
Lukavica (Sarajevo)
The Head of the OSCE in BiH, Robert Barry, and the Chairman of the BiH, Presidency, Zivko Radisic, met today in Lukavica. The USA and UK ambassadors in BiH joined this meeting later.
The main topic of discussion was the Donors Conference in Brussels. The USA Ambassador in BiH, Richard Kauzlarich said: ” We also talked about political developments in the RS itself and the continuation of the support and confidence that we had for the Government of Mr. Dodik. We also talked about the importance of keeping the Yugoslav conflict out of the Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Sarajevo
The co-chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Haris Silajdzic, the BiH Federation President, Ivo Luzanski, and the BiH Federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic, met with the Croatian Government Minister for Relations with BiH, Milan Kovacevic, in Sarajevo today. They were discussing further development of relations between these two neighbouring countries.
Banja Luka
The Russian Ambassador in BiH, Filip Filipovic Sidorski, met with the RS Vice President, Mirko Sarovic, and the RS Assembly President, Petar Dokic, in Banja Luka today. They were discussing the current political situation in the Republika Srpska.
Tuzla
During the next three days, Tuzla will be the host of the first Bosnian – Swedish Conference. The Conference will address issues of refugees and rehabilitation of war victims. More than two hundred representatives of different organizations from Sweden and BiH attended the Conference which began yesterday.
Sarajevo
The BiH Federation Parliament postponed the adoption of important decisions once again. Only three out of 28 suggestions and draft laws were actually dopted.
Banja Luka / Mostar
Regular press conferences of international organizations were held in Banja Luka and Mostar today. Milorad Milojevic, OBN reporter from Banja Luka, and Mirsad Behram from Mostar sent their reports.
Busovaca
A report on co-operation of the current authorities was sent from Busovaca where a memo of understanding between open cities Busovaca and Zenica was signed. This was initiated by UNHCR and under the auspices of the President and Vice President of the BiH Federation and Srednja Bosna and Zenica – Doboj cantons.
Makljenovac (Doboj)
A piece on the return to the Makljenovac village near Doboj which started three years ago. A hundred and forty five houses owned by Bosniaks were reconstructed to date and repairs to the electricity system are undergoing.
Semovac & Potmuh (Mostar)
A report on the reconstruction of houses in Semovac and Potmuh in the Mostar Municipality. OHR and UNHCR offices in Mostar condemned the local HDZ for the obstruction of the Croats return to Polje in the Mostar Municipality.
Izacic (border crossing near Bihac)
In December new customs tax regulations were agreed and were only implemented at the Izacic border near Bihac. All other border crossings started to implement the new regulations a few days ago.
Law School at the Sarajevo University
Opening of the reconstructed the Law School Building took place today in Sarajevo. The funds were provided by the EU.
Zenica
A report on the celebration of ten years of the Zenica chamber symphonic orchestra.
Sport
Within the pre-qualifications for the world championship in volleyball, the BiH team defeated the Czech Republic. This was followed by the result from the local football match and a report from the matches of the International chess tournament “Bosna 99” in Sarajevo. NBA results were also announced.