Newly elected members of the BiH Presidency decided in Sarajevo today to hold their first session on Oct 13 in Sarajevo. The members made the decision during an informal meeting, also attended by HR Westendorp in the building of the former BiH Assembly in Sarajevo. Attendees agreed that Chairman of the Bosnian Presidency Izetbegovic would hand the post of chairman over to Zivko Radisic, and that all three Presidency members, Radisic, Izetbegovic and Jelavic, would take vows. Members of the BiH Presidency also met with representatives of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, who were “encouraged and gave positive estimations about the beginning of the Presidency work.” Radisic, Izetbegovic and Jelavic were informed on the priorities of the Contact Group, which include “strengthening and accelerating the work of BiH institutions” “rationalisation of independent media” and implementation of Annex 7, particularly the minority returns.
2:00
The BiH Federation Official Gazette published the Law on Amendments to the Law on Abolishing the Law on Abandoned Apartments. The amendment, imposed by the High Representative on Sep 15 1998, extends the deadline for filling claims for repossession of socially owned apartments by six months. In accordance with his authority under Annex 10 of the DPA and Article XI of the Bonn Document, the HR imposed the amendment on an interim basis, since many people who have already attempted to file their claim have faced obstruction, including illegal and unfair practices by municipal housing authorities in the Federation. The High Representative made clear in a statement on September 17 1998, that the extension is necessary to ensure individuals` opportunity to regain their apartments. Depriving them of that opportunity would impinge on their right to return stated in Annex 7 of the Peace Agreement.
2:00
OHR finished the draft agreement on special relations between BiH and Croatia. After accordance on the experts’ level, the draft was delivered to the both sides and the RTV BiH is the first to publish the draft. Regarding the part of text about the military co-operation, BiH Presidency Chairman Izetbegovic’s advisor Hajric said that BiH Federation side demanded the agreement, which will not endanger BiH sovereignty and territorial integrity, and since this was achieved the Bosnian side accepted this part of the text. Federation Co-president Soljic said that this part of the text included military co-operation on the level of weapons production and that it was needless to exclude this part of the text since former Yugoslavia was building military capacities to be complementary in the whole area and that the remained capacities can be used better as a whole than partially. Hajric also said Bosnian side would not accept any connections between this agreement and agreement on the Ploce port, as mentioned recently in the media, for those are two completely different obligations.
3:00
The date of military intervention in Kosovo should be known tomorrow. In the statements of foreign officials there is no place for the dilemma whether the intervention is necessary, it is only the matter when. (BiH TV anchor) After it seemed yesterday that the strikes might begin any moment, the desperate seeking of any opportunity for postponing of this decision continued today. (BiH TV voiceover) NATO Secretary General Solana said that NATO is ready to intervene even if Russia would not agree. Belgrade sources reported that war criminal and robber Zeljko Raznatovic – Arkan is “resurrecting” (Serbian form of the word used), which regains his former place in the propaganda madness. Arkan said to a local TV station that he would reactivate his paramilitary forces should the NATO strike in Kosovo. About 500 students of the Banja Luka University held a peaceful rally in front of the US and British Consular sections in BL, lighting candles. RTV BiH correspondent from Washington reported that no one hurries to use the military force, including the USA, US State Department spokesman, Rubin said. US will also have problems with persuading the allies to strike without the UN resolution, and should there be a resolution, the other problem is to persuade Russia not to put veto on it. At this point, none of the options seem feasible, for Moscow still openly threats with veto.
5:00
Herzegovina/Neretva Canton MUP officials made an agreement on activating the joint team for anti-terrorist activities, due to unstable situation in this canton, Canton MUP Minister deputy Dziho said. He added that the agreement was reached in accordance with the Minister Coric and MUP head officials of the BiH Federation, Minister Zilic and his deputy Leutar.
1:30
Adem Muminagic, Bosniak who was murdered in Tasovcici a couple days ago, was buried today in the cemetery of his place of birth. (RTV BiH anchor and voiceover used the word “Bosniak” two times when mentioning Muminagic’s name)
1:00
The returnees’ story of Klisa should end in the next seven days. After a long wait, return to Klisa will gradually start, along with the prompt reconstruction of houses, as pushed by the upcoming winter. Representative of the Zvornik municipality, TPK and UNHCR held a meeting in SFOR camp. It was agreed to form a police station in Klisa from the policemen of Zvornik police, and the dilemma about alleged mines was also cleared.
1:30
The annual session of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund began today in Washington. BiH delegation was also present along with 182 world countries.
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