Sarajevo – French President Jacques Chirac is expected to visit BiH tomorrow. Chirac’s visit to BiH represents a sign of French support for a multi-ethnic Bosnia and new political leadership of Bosnian Serbs, estimates Radio France International. This will be a good opportunity for us to discuss the stance of France regarding the strengthening of the BiH ties and the European integration, in detail, Mirza Hajric, Izetbegovic’s political advisor told the news. He had in mind the full BiH membership in the Council of Europe as well as establishing of special ties between EU and BiH and a strengthening of its safety through the Partnership for Peace.
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Sarajevo – An initiative for establishing the constitutional equality for the Bosniak, Croatian and Serb people was a key topic of the Round Table discussion held in Sarajevo today. The organisers of the meeting were the Serb Civic Council, the first initiator which a year ago demanded the harmonising of the entities constitutions with the BiH constitution, Congress Council of the Bosnian Intellectuals, Croatian National Council and the Independent Association Circle 99. A stimulus for the organisation of the Round Table session devoted politically and professionally to this topic, was Alija Izetbegovic. Deputy HR Hanns Schumacher, as well as the representatives of the BiH and Federation Parliament and representatives of some political parties and NGOs were present. The BiH Constitutional Court should soon discuss this topic. The introductory address of Zarko Papic revealed the absurdity of the current situation in which the Bosniaks and the Croats in the RS represent a minority, and the Serbs are minority in Federation. The relevant bodies and institutions were called upon on this occasion, to enable an equality of the three peoples as well as all other peoples on the whole BiH territory.
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Sarajevo – Ejup Ganic held a meeting with the Federal Minister for education and ministers for education of the cantons: Sarajevo, Tuzla-Podrinje and Zenica-Doboj. Their talks focused on the project The young experts up to 35 years and how to help them join the countries reconstruction. They especially tackled the organisation of specialised courses and seminars in the fields of diplomacy, state administration, international financial organisations which fund the reconstruction of BiH and management in culture and education, reads a statement issued by Ganic’s Office.
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Bosanski Petrovac – Various firms from eight Una Sana municipalities, then cantonal Assembly and Government, as well as the municipality Bihac sent a convoy with building material to the Stolac returnees. This concrete help for returnees left Bosanski Petrovac today. A special delegation followed the convoy.
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Ljubljana – The Slovenian Government decided to extend refugee permits to one part of the BiH refugees in its country, the Slovenian Foreign Minister said in his report to the UN High Commissioner Sagato Ogata.
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There follow news from Kosovo and other countries.
The congratulations sent to BiH in occasion of the celebrations: Bajram and Liberation of Sarajevo in the II War (on the 6th April) were read. Bijeljina – A meeting of the Moslem Charitable Association Merhamet was held in Bijeljina for the first time after a period of isolation. The Assembly was attended by more than 100 Bosniaks from Bijeljina and Janja were 3.150 Bosniaks are living.
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Banja Luka – RS Government Vice President Ostoja Kremenovic talked with the Bologna Mayor Valter Vitari on the co-operation of the local authorities of Bologna and Banja Luka. Vitali, who is the president of the Association for the co-operation of cities in Europe, said that the process of democratisation has “been opened” in RS and this is being followed in Italy with a great interest.
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