Special session of the RS National Assembly was held today in Banja Luka, due to ‘newly-created situation in the RS.’ The Assembly was discussing the Brcko Arbitration decision, Westendorp’s removal of RS President Poplasen, and BiH Presidency Chairman Radisic’s moratorium on his functions in the BiH joint institutions. RS Premier in resignation, Dodik said that the International Arbiter for Brcko made his decision, recognising only arguments of the Federation, and that the RS Government resigned as an act of collective responsibility. Dodik also asked stronger co-operation with the International Community. Later in the news RTV BiH brought follow-up of the session and said that although the Assembly made no declaration, “it would not be difficult to suppose that, once it is made, it would consider the assessment that the Brcko decision endangers the RS integrity, and that national unity has to be achieved in order to discard the decision.” There were also proposals to hold a plebiscite in the RS in order to vote to accept or discard the decision.
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Reactions to the Brcko decision SFOR Commander Meigs met in Banja Luka with the RS Army Commander, Talic, discussing the military and political situation in the RS. British Foreign Minister, Cook and US Secretary of the State, Albright supported Arbiter Owen’s decision on Brcko district. According to OHR, the arbitration decision offers full protection of Brcko citizens’ interests as well as the rights of all constituent nations. As reported by German “Deutsche Welle” radio, RS Premier Dodik sees this decision as the beginning of ‘de-installation’ of the Dayton Agreement and forming of the third entity on the Brcko area. BiH Federation Premier Bicakcic said that the Brcko decision is a solution that can be good if the issues of return and reconstruction continue to be discussed and implemented.
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Posters demanding the third entity appeared again in West Mostar. The Mostar HVIDRA organisation again appealed on formation of the third entity and expressed their opposing to “Balkans federation, a new Yugoslavia and unitary BiH.” The posters also read: “No identity without entity.” The most of posters were placed at the Mostar “Ero” hotel, where the regional OHR is based.
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Two policemen were killed in shooting in Kosovo capital Pristina. Albanian delegation head said that the Albanian side is ready to sign the agreement, but when the time comes for that.
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Delegates of the Serb Parliamentary parties in Doboj municipality announced HR Westendorp and International Arbiter Owen personas non grata. The delegates do not recognise the ‘non-democratic removal of Poplasen and announcement of the Brcko district. The RS Socialist Party, the SDS and RS Radical delegates of the Bijeljina municipality demanded from the International Community to replace HR Westendorp “because of non-complying with the Dayton Agreement.” They demand return of Brcko to the RS jurisdiction and return of Poplasen’s presidential mandate. Poplasen’s advisor Sainovic said that his replacement will not be accepted “for the people elected him.” As for Brcko, Sainovic said that this city was and will remain in the RS.
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