Sarajevo – We are not satisfied with the decision of the International Tribunal which in Brcko maintains the status quo until the final decision, Presidency Spokesman Ademir Jerkovic, told a Press Conference. He added that Arbiter Owen did not act according to the DPA orders, which explicitly say that the arbitrage must be carried out on the basis of the principles of justice. This time again, it has not been respected. Yet the IC gave the new Serb leadership a chance to transform their words into deeds. We are waiting for it, Jerkovic pointed out. We hope that in the end the final decision will rule Brcko as a district.
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Sarajevo – The decision, based on political and not legal arguments, means simply a reward for non co-operation and punishes those who were co-operative, Haris Silajdzic told a Press Conference today. He added that only the BiH state can enable the personal and material safety of all returnees, especially those in Brcko. Therefore we have to insist on the laws at the state level, Silajdzic stated. Giving some examples, Silajdzic tried to show how absurd the current Brcko Decision is. Saying that the document itself was written badly, he even uttered an assumption that the authors of the Decision might easily have written it in a hurry in an aeroplane during a flight. Talking of other topics, Silajdzic pointed out the need for a speedy adoption of some state laws, such as the Law on privatisation and Law on Banking.
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Brcko -The night after has passed in Brcko without people going to their beds – choosing instead to read, discuss and explain Roberts Owen’s Decision, a presenter said. It was discussed by the political parties’ representatives, Supervisor’s Office and those who were touched by it most – the ordinary people. In short the Decision is the best evidence of the non success of the IC in BiH. According to the political representatives, the Decision is based on the factual situation and political compromises dictated by the members of the Contact Group with the blessing of the US politics in Europe. There follows footage of Brcko citizens who assess that such a Decision avoided accusing the RS for all unfulfilled DPA issues in the best manner. Speaking about the massive departure of Brckans from the country, Farrand’s Deputy, Ian McLeod said that this is an individual decision, but he hoped that not many people would leave.
3:30
Brcko – Next followed some lengthy footage of the Return Zone in Brcko where Brckans live crowded under tents, only a few hundred metres from their own houses. Their return home now depends only on the new Serb leadership. They believe in the day when they will return to their town and their homes.
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There follows various reactions to the Decision: OHR gave full support to the Decision believing that it is in the interest of both sides that the Decision is respected, since each case of obstruction will have an important effect on the final decision. The EU calls on the fulfilment of the Dayton conditions, while the German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel believes that the postponement will serve to support the peace process in BiH. Although the ICG was urging that the final Decision would be made now, its Director Hrair Balkan, after reading the Decision, believes that it is better it has been postponed.
2:00
LBO party President, Muhamed Filipovic told the media today that the prolongation of the Brcko Award is not in compliance with the DPA. He added that Roberts Owen’s explanation of his Decision shows that there is too much political reasoning in it. Still the most important thing now is that the economy starts to function in Brcko and that Brckans return to their own homes. The RS leadership will then show how much democracy they wish for this town.
1:30
Bosnian Rights Party sent a letter to Roberts Owen and Carlos Westendorp saying that the democratic powers of justice and tolerance have been defeated by the Decision and new concessions have been given to the extreme nationalistic powers, which work on the division of BiH.
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According to Safet Orucevic, Mostar Mayor, any other Decision but this one, would be dangerous for the future of the DPA.
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A complete comment from today’s Oslobodjenje by Gojko Beric was carried out under the title In Focus and entitled Bosnia at a loss.
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Mostar – The first exhumation of the victims who were killed during the clashes between HVO and BiH Army began today in Balinovac on the western Neretva bank. Sixteen bodies were exhumed from two mass graves. It is presumed that there are about 30 individual graves at that location. Footage of Amor and relatives at the site.
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