OHR Chronology

1997 Please also consult the OHR's chronology for 1998, 1996 and 1995 Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec January 3 January House of Representatives of BiH, National Museum, Sarajevo Inaugural session of the House of Peoples, Lukavica 12th session of the BiH Presidency, Sarajevo Inaugural session of the Council of Ministers BiH Presidency meets with Secretary General of NATO, Javier Solana and SACEUR General George Joulwan 8 January Arbitration Hearings begin in Rome 9-10 January Donor's Information Meeting, Brussels 11 January Contact Group meeting, Brussels 12 January Economic Policy Forum, Sarajevo 15 January Ceremonial opening of OHR office in Mostar 16 January Justice Louise Arbour, Chief Prosecutor for ICTY, visits BiH 20 January Informal meeting with various international organisations on Reconstruction and Return convened by the HR, Carl Bildt, Geneva 13th Session of the BiH Presidency, Sarajevo Coalition for Return visits Modrica 21 January Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, Brussels 21 January Council of Ministers Session, Lukavica 22 January OBN Meeting in Brussels of funders and potential funders 22-24 January Plenary meeting on Succession Issues for the Former Yugoslavia, Brussels 3rd Session of the Federation House of Representatives 26 January Serb demonstrators harass Bosniacs who crossed the IEBL to Gajevi. Two Bosniacs seriously injured. HR and other international officials condemn violence and hold urgent meetings with RS President Biljana Plavsic. Meeting results in an agreement on formation of Investigation Commission, joint patrols and instruction on cooperation from local authorities. 28 January Provisional Election Commission (PEC) adopts its Rules and Regulations for the municipal elections 29 January RS President Plavsic releases statement agreeing to accept pre-war Bosniac residents wishing to resettle in the Gajevi area Federation Partners sign Military Accord appointing Commander and Joint Command of the BiH Federal Army. Head of Joint Command is Bosniac General Rasim Delic. Croat General Budimir is Joint Command Deputy and Chief of Staff 30 January Presentation to Council of Ministers of Quick Start Package presentation, Sarajevo 31 January Contact Group Meeting, Rome Failure of Bosniac families' attempt to move back to Stolac as part of the pilot project UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, appoints Ambassador Kai Eide of Norway as his Special Representative to BiH, and Commissioner Manfred Seitner of Denmark as the International Police (UN IPTF) Commissioner.

February 3 February BiH Federation Forum, Sarajevo 4 February 14th Session of the BiH Presidency, Lukavica 6 February Carl Bildt attends OSCE Permanent Council Meeting in Vienna Council of Ministers Session Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic, signs three credit agreements with the World Bank on behalf of BiH Presidency 7 February 4th RS National Assembly, Jahorina 10 February Violent clashes between about 500 Bosniacs attempting to visit graves on second day of Bairam and some 700 Croats in Mostar. Rash of evictions (at least 26) occur in west Mostar during the night. Urgent high level meetings initiated by HR, Carl Bildt and Principal Deputy HR, Michael Steiner, result in agreement on a package of measures including imposition of a curfew, patrolling by IPTF and SFOR, arrangement on immediate investigation by IPTF and removal from office and trial of anyone found to involved. Carl Bildt releases a statement condemning in the strongest possible terms the indiscriminate killing in Mostar 11 February Extraordinary Joint Military Commission in view of forthcoming Brcko decision and Mostar situation agrees on measures to deal with potential military threats including a ban on military training and excercises. Media Projects Coordination meeting at OHR, Sarajevo 12 February Meeting of senior Bosnian and Croat politicians in Sarajevo to discuss the 10 February incident in Mostar. Principal Deputy HR, Michael Steiner chairs the meeting which condemns violence in Mostar. Participants agree twelve measure package to stabilise the situation 14 February Roberts Owen, Chief Arbitrator, announces conclusions of Arbitral Tribunal for the dispute over the Inter-Entity Boundary in the Brcko area. Announces interim international supervision of the Dayton implementation in the Brcko area for not less than one year. OHR to establish office in Brcko under leadership of Supervisor and Deputy High Representative for Brcko. Minister of Interior for the Federation, Mehmed Zilic, announces abolition of 11p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in Federation territory, except in Mostar where the 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew remains in force until tensions calm down. 17 February International organisations and the Ombudsmen's Office hold a Human Rights Training Seminar for Police Chiefs working in the Zenica-Doboj canton 17-18 February Plenary Meeting on Succession Issues for the Former Yugoslavia 18 February HR Carl Bildt announces changes in OHR Economic Department following the strengthening of OHR's role in that area. New Deputy HR for Economic Issues is Claude Ganz (US) 19 February Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, Brussels 20 February Council of Ministers Session - Rules of Procedure signed Federation Forum holds working-level session, Sarajevo RS Government Session 21 February Rocket launched explosives directly target and damage two Spanish APCs in Mostar 21-22 February OSCE Inter-Entity Journalists Conference in Sarajevo 22-23 February Coalition for Return Meeting, Tuzla 24 February UN IPTF release report pursuant to the 12 February Decisions on Mostar 25 February 15th session of the BiH Presidency, Sarajevo OBN Governing Council Meeting, Brussels 26 February Fourth meeting of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, Banja Luka Sarajevo Cantonal Police formally established Catholic church in Donji Vakuf attacked with explosive devices 27 February 8th Council of Ministers Session, Lukavica 28 February Agreement on Special Parallel Relations signed between the RS and the FRY OSCE announces its Democratisation Programme for 1997

March 2 March About 150 Serb civilians set fire to prefabricated houses built for returning Bosniac refugees in Gajevi. The incident is preceded by a number of tit-for-tat events 3 March Principal Deputy HR, Michael Steiner, SRSG, Kai Eide, and Acting IPTF Commissioner, Robert Wasserman, meet with RS President Plavsic to discuss the 2 March incident in Gajevi 4 March 2nd session of the Federation Forum on a working level, Sarajevo SFOR lifts training ban imposed on 11 February for the period leading up to the Brcko arbitration decision St. Joseph's Catholic church in Sarajevo damaged by explosive device Chairman of the Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic, demands increase in protection of all Catholic facilities in the country New IPTF Commissioner, Manfred Seitner, formally takes up his duties 5 March HR Carl Bildt, sends letter to FRY Foreign Minister Milutinovic seeking assurances that FRY will not submit the Special Agreement for ratification by the FRY Federal Assembly before ratification by the BiH Parliament Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton announces there were well founded suspicions concerning the responsibility of the commanding officers of the Mostar police department with regard to the 10 February incident. Based on this, the Cantonal Interior Minister, Valentin Coric, suspends the the police station Commander, Marko Radic, his deputy, Ivan Hrkac and two other police officers, Zeljko Planinic and Bozo Peric, until completion of the investigation 6 March Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Danish Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen announces postponement of the BiH municipal elections until 13-14 September 1997 HR Carl Bildt welcomes the postponement of the municipal elections stressing the importance of preparations to ensure quality elections 7 March Brcko Implementation Conference, Vienna US diplomat Bill Farrand is named Deputy High Representative and Supervisor for Brcko 10 March 16th session of the BiH Presidency, Sarajevo Trial of three indicted war criminals, Bosniacs (Hazim Delic, Esad Landzo and Zejnil Delalic) and a Bosnian Croat (Zdravko Mucic) begins in the Hague 10-18 March World Bank delgation, led by Country Director for BiH, Christine Wallich, visits BiH to begin discussions on the "Country Assistance Strategy" 11 March Council of Ministers hold extraordinary session to continue work on QSP laws Media Projects Donor Coordination Group, Sarajevo About 30 Bosnian Serbs burn down the remaining prefabricated houses in Gajevi Media Experts Commission express deep concern with regard to recent attacks on journalists - urge support and respect for journalists country-wide 12 March Principal Deputy HR, Michael Steiner visits Slavonski Brod and Bosanska Posavina refugee community SRSG Kai Eide meets with RS President Plasic in Banja Luka. UN considers making its own investigation into the Gajevi arson attacks 13 March 12th Council of Ministers session, Lukavica HR Carl Bildt writes to Council of Ministers warning that further postponements of the Donor's Conference could have severe financial repercussions for the country 3rd session of Federation Forum at working level, US Embassy, Sarajevo UN IPTF Commissioner Manfred Seitner informs RS that IPTF will launch its own investigation into the recent arson attacks in Gajevi 15 March Head of OHR in Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod, and Head of the OSCE Mostar Regional Centre, Edward Joseph, walk out of an aluminium factory opening ceremony following insulting remarks made against former EU Administrator, Hans Koschnick, by the General Director of the aluminium plant, Mijo Brajkovic Principal Deputy HR, Michael Steiner, writes to Franjo Tudjman expressing grave concern over Brajkovic's insults An explosive device badly damages a mosque in Stipanici Federation President Kresimir Zubak issues a press release deploring the destruction of the mosque HR Carl Bildt releases statement urging governments of Europe to deal with the instability in Albania 15-16 March 5th session of the RS National Assembly, Jahorina - Agreement on Special Parallel Relations with FRY is ratified without Article 14 [which stipulates ratification by the BiH Parliament] HR Carl Bildt calls upon the EU to support the requirement that the RS/FRY Agreement be brought into line with the constitution of BiH and to advise Belgrade accordingly 17 March Serbian Parliament endorses the RS/FRY Agreement at their session and urges the Federal Parliament to ratify the accord. 18 March 4th session of the BiH Federation House of Representatives, Sarajevo 3rd session of the BiH Federation House of Peoples, Sarajevo Vladimir Soljic and Ejup Ganic are appointed Federation President and Vice President respectively by the Federal Assembly 20 March Parliamentary Assembly of FRY ratifies the RS/FRY Agreement on Parallel Relations OSCE announces dates for in-country voter registration: 5 May - 16 June and out-of-country voter registration: 5 May - 7 June 20-21 March UNHCR hosts an "Expanded Regional Meeting of Refugee Ministers and Commissioners of BiH, Croatia and FRY" in Geneva 21 March HR Carl Bildt issues a response to the 20 March decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of FRY to ratify the RS/FRY Agreement on Special Parallel Relations making clear that the Agreement is not consistent with the Peace Agreement or the Constitution of BiH 21-22 March OSCE hosts its second Inter-Entity journalist conference "Media in a Conflict Environment" in Mostar 21-28 March UN Special Rapportuer for Human Rights, Elizabeth Rehn, visits BiH - joint visits with the Federation Ombudsmen to Mostar, Stolac and Capljina 25 March ICRC announces entry into the third phase of its campaign to find missing persons 26 March UN IPTF and the Human Rights Coordination Centre release a report on the events preceding and following the 10 February shooting incident in Mostar Principal Deputy HR sends letter to Federation President Vladimir Soljic, and Vice President Ejup Ganic pointing out that neither the political authorities nor the police of Mostar had reacted appropriately - the letter outlines five concrete steps to be taken urgently Ambassador Steiner also writes to Federation President Soljic and Vice President Ganic to express concern about seriously flawed 20 March trial of five policemen in west Mostar - three of whom were identified in the IPTF report Commission for the Implementation of the Sarajevo Protocol meet - agreement of all representatives on proposed texts 27 March Ambassador Steiner witnesses the endorsement of the signing ceremony of the Sarajevo Protocol 28 March Council of Ministers Session, Sarajevo 29 March "Sleeping Policemen" removed from the Bulevar/Donja Mahala in Mostar as requested by the OHR 31 March The UN Security Council passes Resolution 1103 increasing IPTF strength by 186 police and 11 civilian personnel for deployment to Brcko Principals of OHR, UNHCR, SFOR, UN IPTF and OSCE issue press release welcoming the positive statement delivered by Minister for Civil Affairs and Communications, Spasoje Albijanic, on behalf of the Council of Ministers and the Federation and RS Governments

April 1 April Principal Deputy HR, Michael Steiner and Deputy HR for Brcko, Bill Farrand, meet with RS President Biljana Plavsic and RS Minister Aleksa Buha in Pale to discuss implementation of international supervision 2 April Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council meets in Istanbul 3 April Council of Ministers 15th Session, Lukavica Media Experts Commission (MEC) releases new set of rules and regulations on the media for the municipal elections 4 April Head of Regional OHR South, Sir Martin Garrod, sends letter to President of the Neretva Canton Government, Mijo Brajkovic, warning against the alleged construction of a Croat National Theatre and Cathedral in Mostar 8 April 17th session of the BiH Presidency, Lukavica 10 April The Human Rights Ombudsperson for BiH issues a Special Report on the Mostar 10 February incident which finds that Mostar authorities violated the European Convention on Human Rights 11 April HR Carl Bildt and his Deputy HR for Brcko, Bill Farrand, open the new OHR (North) offices in Brcko HR, Carl Bildt submits his fifth report to the Secretary General of the United Nations 13 April First ever visit to Sarajevo by Pope John Paul II which goes ahead safely despite the discovery, some six hours before the Pope's arrival, of an explosive device under one of the bridges en route to the Cathedral 14 April Federation Forum session 14-16 April UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs. Sadako Ogata visits BiH 15 April Open Broadcast Network Donor's Meeting, Brussels 16 April 5th session of the Federation House of Representatives, Sarajevo Approximately 400 local residents hold a demonstration in front of the Drvar municipality building to protest visits and potential returns of Serbs to the area 17 April "Zvornik Seven" trial begins - Principal Deputy HR, Ambassador Michael Steiner publicly condemns the proceedings because of lack of respect for the defendants' right to effective legal representation of their own choosing BiH Presidency members meet with the North Atlantic Council , Sarajevo 21 April Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic sends a letter to Contact Group members and HR Carl Bildt criticising what he considers the thus far delayed and incomplete implementation of the Dayton Agreement 22 April HR, Carl Bildt, addresses opening ceremony of the PROMO International Business Fair, Tuzla 23 April Humanitarian Issues Working Group meets in Geneva - HR attends 7th session of the RS National Assembly, Jahorina 24 April 18th session of the BiH Presidency, Sarajevo Principal Deputy HR Ambassador Michael Steiner, writes to RS Prime Minister Klickovic protesting judicial proceedings in the "Zvornik Seven" trial. Other international organisations, including the UN and the OSCE join OHR in condemning the trial Deputy HR for Brcko, Bill Farrand, announces the procedure for return of refugees to Brcko 28 April Bosnian Croat, Zlatko Aleksovski, indicted for war crimes committed at the detention camp, Kaonik, in central Bosnia in 1993 is handed over by Croatian authorities to ICTY - he pleads not guilty at his preliminary hearing UNHCR Sadako Ogato announces that her office will provide assistance only to those municipalities and regions which accept minority returns - and will withdraw aid from areas where such returns are refused 29 April HR Carl Bildt speaks on Bosnia at EU General Affairs Council, Luxembourg 4th session of the Federation House of Peoples, Sarajevo 30 April HR Carl Bildt visits UN Security Council and Secretary General, Kofi Annan in New York Both Houses (House of Representatives and House of Peoples) of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly meet, Sarajevo

May 1 May Buses carrying delegation from Social Democratic Party, led by Zlatko Lagumdzija, visiting OHR North are stoned by hostile crowd in Brcko Deputy HR for Brcko, Bill Farrand, and others roundly condemn stoning 1-2 May HR Carl Bildt in Washington for talks with US Administration 2 May Principals of the OHR, OSCE, SFOR, UN IPTF and the UNHCR release a statement condemning the stoning and calling for prosecution of those found guilty OSCE announces that 93 Political Parties have applied to run in September's municipal elections - 45 of them registered for the first time 4 May Council of Ministers working retreat Dubrovnik to discuss and reach conclusions on the Quick Start Package of laws 5 May Voter registration for municipal elections in September begins 5-6 May BiH Council of Ministers hold a two day working retreat in Dubrovnik in an attempt to hasten progress on adoption of the Quick Start Package 6 May The PEC fully approves the applications of 82 political parties for the municipal elections - five parties are conditionally approved 6-7 May BiH Federation House of Representatives session 7 May ICTY announces verdict on Dusan Tadic case - found guilty on 11 of 31 counts - including crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war Mr. Ibrahim Djedovic, Democratic People's Union (DNZ) opposition leader arrested at the Federation Parliament building in violation of the Federation Constitution which provides immunity to MPs Principal Deputy HR, Ambassador Michael Steiner writes to Federation President Soljic and Vice-President Ganic denouncing the arrest as a violation of the Constitution HR, Carl Bildt visits Drvar following the arson attacks of 2-4 May OBN agreement with TVX to broadcast full OBN programme output for six hours every evening throughout the Sarajevo region UNHCR announces the opening of two new bus routes crossing the IEBL from Brcko to the Federation: Brcko-Brka-Seonjaci and Brcko-Orasje-Brcko 8 May BiH Federation House of Peoples - 2nd part of 4th session House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly meet Council of Ministers session - results in agreement on 1997 Budget Law and Budget Execution Law for BiH PEC decision on elections in Brcko and Mostar 9 May House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly meet UN IPTF announces new guidelines for police checkpoint procedures 13 May UN IPTF officially open new district HQ in Brcko Steering Board of the OBN Governing Council meet in Brussels 14 May BiH Federation House of Representatives session 15 May Contact Group meeting in Brussels to assist with preparation of Sintra PIC meeting Informal brainstorming session on Bosnia of the European Union's Political Directors at the Val Duchesse in Brussels BiH Federation House of Peoples session A new radio station -"eFM" (Education FM) -built for and developed with the students of BiH by the UN Mission in BiH is officially opened by SRSG Kai Eide 16 May UN Security Council passes resolution authorising the strengthening of IPTF force in BiH by an additional 120 20 May UN General Assembly elects eleven judges to serve as members of ICTY over the next four years. The new judges' mandates will begin on 17 November 22 May Council of Ministers session, Sarajevo 23 May First working session of the BiH Constitutional Court held at OHR 26 May UN IPTF and SFOR begin joint patrols with a view to implementing the IPTF checkpoint policy OSCE Election Appeals Sub-Commission issues two major rulings on violations of PEC Rules and Regulations in Banja Luka, Prijedor, Gradiska, Kotor Vares, Srpski Drvar and Srpski Kljuc/Ribnik as well as in Drvar 26-27 May 8th session of the RS National Assembly, Jahorina 27 May HR Carl Bildt addresses the Netherlands Association of International Affairs in the Hague Coalition for Return opens its first information office in Sarajevo 28 May 18th Session of the BiH Presidency, Lukavica Federation House of Representatives concludes its 5th session 29 May Council of Ministers Session in Sarajevo 30 May Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council meets at Ministerial level in Sintra

June 1 June US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright pays her first visit to BiH since assuming her new role The Standing Committee on Military Matters, the last of the remaining common institutions to be set up, is established 1-3 June UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr.Bernard Miyet, visits the BiH region 2 June Newly appointed HR Carlos Westendorp and outgoing HR Carl Bildt hold joint press conference following a meeting of the European Union members in Luxembourg 2-4 June Plenary meeting on Succession Issues for the Former Yugoslavia, Brussels 4 June UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Mrs. Elizabeth Rehn, begins visit to FRY, Croatia and BiH 5 June Council of Ministers session, Lukavica 6 June President Izetbegovic, Federation President Soljic and Federation Prime 6-7 June Central European Initiative (CEI) ministerial conference takes place in Sarajevo 9 June Leaders of the Islamic, Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish communities issue a joint statement of "shared moral commitment" 11 June 19th session of the Presidency of BiH, Sarajevo Federation House of Representatives 12 June UN Security Council adopt SC Resolution 1112 agreeing to the designation of Carlos Westendorp as HR Council of Ministers session Federation House of Representatives session OSCE announces further extension of voter registration for municipal elections - deadline extended from 14 June to 28 June 14-17 June Managing Director of the World Bank in charge of operations, Mr. Caio Koch Weser, visits BiH Out-of-country voter registration ends 17 June Federation House of Peoples continues its 4th session 18 June Carlos Westendorp arrives in Sarajevo to take over as HR from Carl Bildt as HR of the International Community in BiH Carl Bildt addresses the people of BiH in a farewell broadcast aired on all BiH channels OSCE announces voter registration reopens in Brcko and will continue until 12 July 19 June Council of Ministers session Donors Conference postponed UNHCR's Special Envoy, Carrol Faubert, announces "Open Cities" strategy for return of minorities 20 June BiH Parliament adopts the Quick Start Package of laws 3rd session of the BiH House of Representatives 3rd session of the BiH House of Peoples Council of Ministers session 5th continuation of the 4th session of the Federation House of Peoples 21 June HR Carlos Westendorp visits Brcko 23 June NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana visits BiH BiH Presidency session 24 June Trial of Bosnian Croat General Tihomir Blaskic begins in the Hague 25 June Election Appeals Sub-Commission issues judgements in the matter of alleged registration irregularities in the Zepce and Capljina municipalities 26 June NATO Ambassadors meet in Brussels to discuss the Stabilisation Force OBN Steering Committee meet in Brussels 27 June BiH Presidency session RS President Biljana Plavsic orders the suspension of Interior Minister Dragan Kijac 29 June RS President Plavsic allegedly detained at Belgrade airport and subsequently escorted to Banja Luka 30 June Eruption of Constitutional Crisis as Member of Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik denies reports that Plavsic was detained. RS state media support Krajisnik War crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic is discovered to have registered to vote, as a consequence PEC amends relevant article in their Rules and Regulations disallowing such persons to vote

July 1 July HR Carlos Westendorp announces the appointment of Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein as new Principal Deputy HR UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announces his agreement to curtail Amb. Klein's assignment as UNTAES Administrator SDS Main Board meet and call on Plavsic to return to her Office in Pale or resign. SRT continue to attack Plavsic 2 July Contact Group meet in the Hague. 3 July RS President Plavsic orders dissolution of RS National Assembly and calls for new elections BiH Council of Ministers session, Lukavica 4 July RS National Assembly begin a session in defiance of RS President Plavsic's orders for dissolution 5-6 July Coalition for Return meet in Travnik 7 July Principals of OHR, SFOR, the OSCE, UNMIBH/IPTF and UNHCR send a letter to RS President Plavsic, copied to Momcilo Krajisnik, outlining their expectations of renewed commitment to the Dayton and Sintra Agreements 8 July NATO Summit in Madrid BiH Presidency Session 9-10 July Constitutional Court passes a ruling, which pending their final decision on the constitutionality of President Plavsic's decision to dissolve the National Assembly, orders the suspension of all enactments by State organs 10 July Indicted war criminal Simo Drljaca is killed by SFOR soldiers as he resists arrest. Milan Kovacevic is captured by SFOR in Prijedor hospital, arrested by ICTY and taken to the Hague Both Drljaca and Kovacevic were under sealed indictments for complicity in the commission of genocide. The Venice Commission Working Group meet in Geneva with the aim of providing an opinion on certain provisions of the RS Constitution Agreement on Joint Police Forces signed in Mostar 11 July HR Report to the UN Secretary General published. 14 July ICTY sentences Dusko Tadic to a total of 97 years - 20 years of which will be served in prison as sentences run concurrently 15 July Slobodan Milosevic elected as FRY President World Bank and European Commission announce the Donors Conference will be held on 23-24 July 17 July Council of Ministers Session - cancelled due to non-attendance of Momcilo Krajisnik BiH Presidency session, National Museum (Krajisnik cites "security reasons" for non attendance) Election Appeals Sub-Commission issue judgements on voter registration irregularities in Jajce, Zepce, Bosanski Brod, Stolac and Zenica 18 July Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council meet at the level of political directors, Sarajevo NATO SACEUR General Wesley Clark visits Sarajevo 19 July Main Board of SDS decide to expel RS President Plavsic from the party 21 July Joint police for Hercegovina Neretva Canton officially inaugurated Council of Ministers session Election Appeals Sub-Commission issue judgement on voter registration irregularities in Brcko 22 July Open Broadcast Network Donors/Governing Council Meeting, Brussels RS Supreme Court rejects RS Government petition against RS President Plavsic 23-24 July Third Donor Pledging Conference, Brussels (speech by the HR) 25 July German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel visits Sarajevo. BiH Presidency session, Sarajevo 28 July HR Carlos Westendorp briefs the members of the UN Security Council and meets with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook visits Sarajevo. 29 July BiH Presidency meets with British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook Team from the UN War Crimes Tribunal starts exhuming the bodies at the site in Brcko. 30 July NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana and NATO SACEUR General Wesley Clark visit Sarajevo. They meet with the members of the BiH Presidency and Council of Ministers General William Crouch hands over his duties to General Eric Shinseki in a formal ceremony at SFOR HQ in Ilidza. UNHCR announces the spontaneous return on the weekend of 26-27 July of some 200 Bosniaks to Jajce. Milan Kovacevic makes his first appearance before the UN War Crimes Tribunal and pleads not guilty. 31 July Council of Ministers session

August 1 August BiH Presidency session Council of Ministers session, Lukavica (cancelled due to non-attendance of the RS Delegation) Contact Group meets in Sarajevo to discuss the implementation of the Sintra agreement 1-3 August UNIPTF and SFOR report that Bosnian Croat protesting the return of Bosnian DP's to Jajce, incidents. 2 August HR Carlos Westendorp writes to the members of the PiC Steering Board and recommends the suspension of relations with the BiH Ambassadors until a solution on the appointment or confirmation of Ambassadors representing the BiH is reached. The HR extends deadline on adoption of citizenship laws until Monday 3 August The Principals of the leading implementation organisations write to the Federation president Soljic and Vice-President Ganic regarding the recent situation in Jajce. 4 August Council of Ministers session 5 August Council of Ministers session EU Presidency proposes to all 15 members of EU to suspend all contacts with BiH Ambassadors. Federation Meeting on the Central Bosnia Canton. Agreement reached on the constitution of the police in Central Bosnian Canton. For the first time in five years, direct telephone links between Sarajevo and Banja Luka and Trebinje. 6 August Chairman of the BiH Presidency Alija Izetbegovic and Croatian President Franjo Tudjman meet in Split US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke and US Special Representative Robert Gelbard begin their visit to the Balkans. 7 August BiH Presidency session - breakthrough on number of key issues related to the agreement on the appointment of Ambassadors, telecommunications issues and Standing Committee on Military Matters. 8 August Council of Ministers session Amb. Wagner briefs the Contact Group members and recommends that the suspension in the relations with the BiH Ambassadors now be lifted. SFOR announces a new policy, within the existing SFOR mandate in accordance with Annex 1A of the Peace Agreement, for the control and restructuring of the Entities Specialist Police Forces. Princess Diana arrives to Sarajevo for a three day visit as part of her global campaign against landmines. 11 August SFOR troops surround the RS special forces premises in the Obilica Mejdan settlement near Banja Luka. Constitutional Court is set up. Bosnia and Herzegovina Central Bank officially commences operations. 12 August NATO troops inspect five Bosnian Serb Special Police bases in Pale following the decision to clamp down on the units which are suspected of being a paramilitary force. Norwegian Prime Minister, Mr. Jagland visits Sarajevo. Amb. Robert Farrand issues three decisions: The first states that returnees to Brcko may continue to hold Federation identity cards with a special plastic cover indicating that the card is valid until the final arbitration decision on Brcko is rendered. A second decision states that representatives of returnees, must announce in writing , intended group returns to the Return Commission at least one week in advance. The Brcko Supervisor notes that the RS police had consistently refused to attend the weekly joint police meeting in Brcko. He stresses that the attendance at this meeting is mandatory and that representatives must have sufficient seniority and authority to make decisions. (see Brcko Arbitration Orders 1,2,3) 13 August NATO SACEUR General Wesley Clark visits Sarajevo. 15 August The RS Constitutional Court announces its decision that the 3 July decisions by President Plavsic to dissolve and call early elections were "not in conformity with the Constitution of the RS". The High Representative in his statement deplores the ruling of the RS Constitutional Court in what is clearly a decision taken under political pressure. Biljana Plavsic forms her own Party, the Serb Popular Party. 16 August Council of Ministers session 17 August UNIPTF supported by SFOR enter the Public Security Centre in Banja Luka. This is in response to allegations by Mrs. Plavsic of human rights abuses and "activities of an undemocratic nature", including the local police had put her under illegal surveillance. IPTF officers discover a number of unauthorised weapons. 18 August Bosnian Serb President rejects a Constitutional Court ruling overturning her decision to dissolve Parliament. 19 August OSCE announces a plan for supervising upcoming elections and forms a Committee for supervising the implementation of election results. The newly appointed police chief in Banja Luka, Milan Sutilovic, loyal to Bosnian Serb President, arrested and released the same day by hard-line Bosnian Serbs security men. RS Minister of Finance Ranko Travar resigns. 20 August UNIPTF officials confirm that they have "unequivocal evidence of serious criminal activity being conducted in the main Banja Luka police station, which include bugging of the President's communications". The High Representative, US Special Envoy Robert Gelbard and COMSFOR General Shinseki meet with President Plavsic. Federation Forum Meeting 21 August The Federation Forum agrees to adopt the disputed amendments on the Sarajevo Canton Constitution and to establish the city authorities before the local elections. The harassed judge of the RS Constitutional Court, Mr. Rosic makes a statement explaining the events surrounding his harassment. He says that he was beaten and intimidated. UNHCR announces that the return of DPs to villages around Jajce is completed without incident. 22 August Mr. Wagner and General Shinseki announce in their statement that in their letter they had " expressed their strong displeasure with RS officials for allowing the security situation within RS and specifically in Banja Luka, to deteriorate." Mr Westendorp writes to Momcilo Krajisnik in his capacity as Chairman of the SRT Board of Directors, expressing his and IC dissatisfaction with the performance of SRT. He specifically pointed out the "continual instances of deliberate misinformation , inflammatory commentary, insulting language and highly biased reportage." The Central Bosnia Cantonal Joint police force inaugurated in Travnik. 23 August Marko Pavic accepts the post of RS Interior Minister. Bosnian Serb Government decides to cut off relations with Biljana Plavsic. 24 August The Banja Luka studio of SRT begins broadcasting independent programmes through a transmitter on Mount Kozara, while at the same time limiting SRT Pale studio broadcasts to the Banja Luka region. 25 August BiH Presidency session, Sarajevo (not held due to absence of the Serb member of the Presidency), Presidency Chairman Izetbegovic and Presidency Member Zubak held an informal meeting instead. HR Carlos Westendorp at the press briefing following the meeting states that the RS authorities could face sanctions as the obstructing party on the important issues of Citizenship and Passport Laws, signing of a MoU on Airports, Civil Aviation Authorities, and Ambassadors. Sanctions under consideration, included denial of passports and visas to the Serb member of the Presidency. 26 August The Bosnian Serb Parliament calls for local elections in BiH due on 13 and 14 September to be postponed. Joint Military Commission meeting in Ilidza, participants are SFOR Deputy Commander for Operations, Lt.Gen. Cordy Simpson and Entity armies representatives are Generals Colic, Delic and Budimir. 27 August SFOR fires a warning shot at Bosnian Serb police near Doboj but denies taking over a Serb TV transmitter. Second Federation Meeting on the Central Bosnia Canton 28 August Several hundred people besieged the UN police station in Brcko after SRT radio broadcast calls to attack UN officers and NATO troops, three Serbs injured. Seven Bosnian Serbs arrested and charged with taking part in the take-over of a television transmitter near Doboj. US NATO troops fire tear gas and warning shots at Bosnian Serb demonstrators who attacked them in Brcko. OSCE says that more than 2,5 million people have registered to vote in the municipal elections in BiH on 13 and 14 September. 29 August NATO Ambassadors meet in Brussels to discuss the power struggle within the Serb leadership in BiH. The EU condemns in its statement a "call to arms" by the Bosnian Serb radio. NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana says in his statement that NATO authorised its SFOR troops in BiH to use force to shut down media that incite the population to use violence. A bomb explodes in Banja Luka killing one person and injuring two others. 30 August NAC meeting responds positively to a request by the HR to authorise SFOR to provide the necessary support to suspend or curtail any media network whose output was in persistent and blatant violation of either the spirit of the letter of the DPA.In addition, the NAC reaffirmed that SFOR would not hesitate to take the necessary measures including the use of force against media inciting attacks on SFOR or other international organisations. Robert Farrand issues a Supervisory Order instructing RS police authorities to immediately halt the practice of charging visa fees for vehicles crossing the Brcko bridge from Croatia. He also urges the collection of road tolls charges at the bridge to be stopped.

September 1 September Up to 250 people gather around the Udrigovo transmitter which is secured by SFOR and menace SFOR with sticks and rocks. In order to disperse the crowd SFOR deploys a single canister of tear gas. Vecernje Novine and Nezavisne Novine begin an initiative to counter the information blockade between the two entities. 2 September Principal Deputy HR, Jacques Klein and COMSFOR General Eric Shinseki reach an agreement (Udrigovo agreement) with the Serb member of the BiH Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik, in his capacity as Chairman of the SRT Board of Directors, to curb the inflammatory reporting by the SRT media against the IC, including SFOR. (see press release) 4 September Contact Group meeting in Brussels. (statement) 5 September Creation of BiH Department of Civil Aviation. (see press release) 8 September SDS rally in Banja Luka - OHR and SFOR act to prevent intimidation (see press release) 10 September HR Carlos Westendorp's address on SRT OSCE PEC decides by consensus to extend the term in office for newly elected officials. They ruled that those elected in municipal elections will have two year term in office instead of one year . 11 September Council of Ministers session 12 September NATO Secretary-General visits Sarajevo BiH Presidency session, National Museum. Council of Ministers session - NATO Secretary-General announces the ratification of the establishment of the BiH DCA and approval of three Memoranda of Understanding on the opening of Tuzla, Banja Luka and Mostar airports for civil traffic. 13-14 September Municipal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina 15 September Judgement by the Election Appeals Commission to annul the SDS elections victory in Pale, Ambassador Frowick makes a Chairman's decision to revoke the judgement. EU Foreign Ministers act on a proposal from the High Representative and decide to suspend granting visas for Momcilo Krajisnik, Serb member of the Bosnian Presidency, Boro Bosic, co-premier, Spasoje Albijanic, the minister of communications and civil affairs, and Gavro Bogic, deputy minister for external trade and the economy. First meeting of the Standing Committee for Military Matters, Lukavica 16 September Contact Group meeting in London (statement) Amb. Wagner meets with eight previous mayors of Sarajevo (see press release) 17 September Twelve people die in the UN helicopter crash near Bugojno. Among those who died is Amb. Gerd Wagner, Deputy HR and four members of OHR. (Statement by the HR) 18 September A car bomb explodes in the residential area of the western side of Mostar, some fifty people are injured. OHR Mostar condemns the attack. (see press release) 19 September BiH Presidency session, Lukavica - adoption of the decision on 30 appointments for ambassadors. Additional consultations would be held for three further appointments. The European Commission opens a limited number of inter-entity telephone lines for local subscribers at long distance rates for calls within the Entities. 20 September Memorial Service in the Sarajevo Cathedral for those killed in the helicopter crash. (Speech by the HR). 22 September Brcko Supervisor notes with satisfaction that the RS police in Brcko are making practical arrangements to issue RS ID cards to returnees. (see press release) 24 September Contact Group meeting in New York (statements on Bosnia, Kosovo) RS President Plavsic and Serb member of the BiH Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik meet with FRY President Milosevic. They decide that the elections for the Parliament, to be monitored by the OSCE, would be held on 15 November, elections for the President and Serb member of the BiH Presidency would be held on 7 December 1997. They also agreed that news programmes be broadcast daily from studios in Pale and Banja Luka alternatively. MSAG meeting chaired by Amb. Klein 25 September Council of Ministers session, Lukavica Principal Deputy HR, Jacques Klein writes to FRY President Milosevic and underlines that any elections held before the constitutional establishment of the Permanent election Commission, including the envisaged RS Assembly elections and Presidential elections must be supervised by PEC established by the OSCE and conducted in accordance with Provisional Election Commissions Electoral rules and regulations. 26 September Principal Deputy HR, Amb. Klein opens border crossing points connecting BiH and Croatia at Gradiska, Samac, Dubica and Brod. (Speech by the Principal Deputy HR). Justice Arbour visits Sarajevo Amb. Farrand opens the OHR Media Centre in Brcko. (see press release) SRSG Amb. Kai Eide announces that the RS authorities have reached an agreement with UNMIBH/UNIPTF to start immediately with the restructuring of the police force in the RS. 28 September SRT distortion of the press conference by Judge Arbour. An explosion destroys the offices of the opposition newspaper Alternative in Doboj. 30 September BiH Presidency session, National Museum - reaches the final decision on the appointment of BiH ambassadors. Council of Ministers session OHR issues the Statement following the distortion of Judge Arbour's press conference on SRT.

October 1 October NATO Secretary-General and the SACEUR at the request of the HR authorise SFOR to occupy and control four transmitters at Udrigovo, Duge Njive, Trebevic and Leotar. (see press release) PIC Steering Board meeting in Brussels (see press briefing) BiH Parliament House of Peoples session 2 October Council of Ministers session, Sarajevo 6 October Ten Bosnian Croats indicted for war crimes surrender to the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague. 7 October Mr. Westendorp sends a letter to Mr. Krajisnik in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of SRT, outlining a series of criteria for the restructuring of SRT. 8 October The High Representative meets with NATO Secretary-General and North Atlantic Council in Brussels The OHR Human Rights Coordination Centre Steering Board expresses concern over the Sarajevo Cantonal Court's failure to meet minimum fair standards in the case of Ibrahim Djedovic. (see press release) 9 October Council of Ministers session, Lukavica Office of the Ombudsperson opens a new office in Travnik. 10 October Brcko Supervisor Amb. Robert Farrand in his statement describes the next steps forward following the 9 October PEC certification of the results of the Brcko municipal elections. Supervisory Order on Judiciary Supervisory Order on Multi-Ethnic Administration 11 October Brcko Supervisor condemns the attack on Roman Catholic Church in Brcko (see press release) 12 October Amb. Klein condemns bomb attack on Sarajevo school (see press release) 13 October Supervisory Order on Multi-Ethnic Police. 14 October Third Federation Meeting on the Central Bosnia Canton. 15 October HR Carlos Westendorp meets with Trade Union Representatives (see press release) HR receives Serb Civic Council delegation (see press statement) 16 October SRT Pale is back on the air in defiance of an international ban. 17 October Contact Group meeting in Rome. (conclusions) 18 October SFOR at the request of OHR mounts an operation to inspect the transmitter site in Veliki Zep near Han Pijesak. OHR condemns in the strongest possible terms the sabotage of transmitter site. (see press release) The IPTF declared the Brcko bridge and illegal checkpoint in accordance with the Supervisory Order after the RS Customs Officials sought to collect road taxes from the drivers of two Slovenian trucks. (see press release) 19 October 1997 US Air Force Aircraft, Commando Solo, starts broadcasting test card to SRT receivers explaining that normal service was cut when a key transmitter at Veliki Zep was sabotaged. 20 October 1997 Local transmitter of SRT in Bijeljina destroyed in powerful blast. Amb. Frowick announces PEC decision that the RS National Assembly will be concluded before 23 November 1997. Arbitral Tribunal for Brcko meets in Vienna headed by Roberts Owen. Media Support and Advisory Group meeting 21 October 1997 Opposition leader Milo Djukanovic wins elections in Montenegro. Federation House of Peoples adopts laws on the privatisation of enterprises, sale of apartments with tenants' rights, and citizens requests in the privatisation process. 22 October 1997 Federation House of Parliament session High Representative's report to the UN Secretary-General published 23 October 1997 Council of Ministers session OBN Governing Council meeting in Vienna 27 October 1997 High Representative's statement on the subject of SRT Pale Hans van den Broek, the EU Commissioner for the Common Foreign and Security Policy starts two days visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bomb explodes in a Christian Orthodox church in Brcko 28 October OHR and European Commission issue a Joint Press Release on their commitment against corruption. Call for vigilance in the use of Donors' money BiH Presidency meeting Council of Ministers session 29 October German Defence Minister Volker Ruehe and Finance Minister Theo Waigel visit Sarajevo OSCE MEC announces that Croat TV (HTV) Mostar violated three articles of the PEC Rules and Regulations. 30 October Council of Ministers session - Memorandum of Understanding signed and agreement on principles which will set the future for humanitarian demining operations in BiH. PEC sets date for RS National Assembly elections polling to take place on 22-23 November 1997 Federation Forum meeting in Travnik Federation Assembly House of Representatives adopts the final texts of the several laws. 31 October HR Carlos Westendorp accuses the Bosnian authorities of corruption in the appropriation of funds. SRT Banja Luka television signal restored in the eastern part of RS via the satellite link.

November 1 November IMF appoints Peter Nicholl to succeed Serge Robert as Governor of the BiH Central Bank. 3 November OHR Spokesman announces that SRT in Banja Luka has decided to undergo full restructuring. 4 November Two day Brcko Donor Conference starts (Press Release). Council of Europe Committee of Ministers appoints Michèle Picard as the President of the Human Rights Chamber for BiH. OSCE announces that 34 of the 136 municipal councils elected in September have taken office. 5 November Croatian Government publishes a document about special relations with BiH Federation. 6 November Steering Board meeting with the Presidency and the CoM Chairs (Joint Message). Council of Ministers session 7 November NATO Secretary-General, Javier Solana and NATO SACEUR Wesley Clark visit Sarajevo and Belgrade. Slovene Prime Minister, Janez Drnovsek visits Sarajevo and meets with the Council of Ministers 9 November HTV Mostar editor-in-chief resigns after refusing to broadcast an OSCE communiquÈ. 10 November SFOR seizes control of the Serb special police unit in Doboj. OHR Spokesman announces that the draft proposal on special relations between Croatia and Bosnian Federation cannot be accepted because it is not constitutional and violates the Dayton agreement. Amb. Robert Farrand issues a new order concerning the establishment of a multiethnic police force in Brcko. 12 November Amb. Hanns H. Schumacher replaces the late Amb. Gerd Wagner as Senior Deputy HR. Federation Forum meeting in Sarajevo 13 November Council of Ministers session Amb. Robert Farrand condemns Radio Brcko broadcast of statement calling for arrest of municipal councillors. Brcko Supervisor issues amendment to Supervisory orders on collection of fees at the Brcko bridges. OHR Brcko press release announcing the Italian government decision to spend additional funds for Brcko bringing its commitment to more than 8m DM for economic reconstruction of Brcko area. 18 November Banja Luka airport reopens for commercial air traffic. (speech by the HR) The Bosnian Parliament House of Representatives session 19 November Sadako Ogata, High Commissioner for Refugees starts her three day visit to BiH and Croatia. US Judge Gabrielle Kirk McDonald replaces Antonio Cassese as the President of the ICTY Tribunal in the Hague. 20 November NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana and SACEUR General Wesley Clark visit Sarajevo Council of Ministers session in Lukavica The HR expresses his concern at the pattern of harassment and intimidation of the political opposition in Bijeljina. 21 November Second anniversary of the initialling of the Peace Agreement in Dayton. BiH Presidency meeting OSCE Election Appeals Sub-Commission disqualifies three candidates in the elections from the candidate list for the blatant display of posters of Radovan Karadzic throughout RS. 22/23 November National Assembly elections in Republika Srpska 24 November General Affairs Council meets in Brussels. Report by the HR. BiH Presidency meeting Meeting of the Standing Committee for Military Matters. 26 November The Bosnian Parliament House of Representatives session. High Representative addresses the Parliament. First post war Banja Luka, Sarajevo business fair in Banja Luka 27 November Council of Ministers session 28 November British Prime Minister Tony Blair visits Bosnia Summit of the Central European Initiative in Sarajevo the town of Kakanj in central Bosnia proclaimed an Open City 29 November The Tuzla municipal council on Saturday adopts a declaration proclaiming Tuzla an Open City

December 2 December Bosnia House of Representatives adopts law on Council of Ministers NATO's 16 Defense Ministers reach consensus to begin planning for NATO 's military role in BiH after its current mandate ends in June. Fourth Federation Forum meeting on the Central Bosnia Canton 3 December IPTF conducts a number of weapons investigations in the Banja Luka area and finds a large quantity of unauthorised weapons. 4 December OBN Governing Council in Brussels 5 December German and French Foreign Ministers Klaus Kinkel and Hubert Vedrine visit Sarajevo and meet with the BiH Presidency. The Mostar City Council appoints Safet Orucevic Mayor of Mostar and Ivan Prskalo his Deputy. International Supervisor for Brcko Amb. Robert Farrand has appointed six judicial officials in Brcko (see Brcko order addendum). Amb. Robert Farrand issues an Order on Privatisation 7 December OSCE announces the provisional results of the RS parliamentary elections: SDS won 24 seats, Coalition for Single and Democratic Bosnia 16 seats, SRS 15, Serb People's Alliance 15, RS Socialist Party 9 seats, Independent Social Democrats 2 seats. 9 December The agreement on a common passport, a law for a common citizenship and a law on the functioning of the Bosnian cabinet signed by three members of the Bosnian Presidency. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook announces that the UNSG has appointed Richard Monk as Head of the IPTF in BiH. 9-10 December Peace Implementation Council meeting in Bonn. (speech by the HR, speech by Brcko Supervisor, Conclusions of the Meeting) 10 December Federation House of Representatives resumes session. 9-11 December Plenary meeting on Succession Issues for the Former Yugoslavia 12 December The High Representative addresses the European Atlantic Partnership Council at NATO in Brussels. 14 December The municipal council of Gradacac declares Gradacac an Open City. 15 December The Bosnian Assembly House of Representatives adopts the law on passports. The United Nations General Assembly adopts by consensus a non-binding resolution supporting the decisions of the PIC conference in Bonn. 16 December Letter from HR to members of the BiH Presidency regretting that no agreement yet reached with regard to Citizenship law. HR decides that this law will enter into force on 1 January 1998. The Bosnian Parliament House of Peoples adopts laws on the Council of Ministers and passports. 17 December Standing Committee on Military Matters meets in Lukavica. Mrkonjic Grad declared an Open City. 18 December NATO announces that during the night of 17/18 December, SFOR detained two Bosnian Croats, Vlatko Kupreskic and Anto Furundzija, who are indicted for war crimes by the ICTY. President Clinton announces that " the US will take part in a security presence in Bosnia when SFOR withdraws this summer". 19 December NATO Secretary-General visits Sarajevo and meets with the BiH Presidency. Also meets with Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic in Banja Luka. OHR Brcko Press Release about the meeting between the Brcko Supervisor and RS Prime Minister Klickovic on December 16. 20 December OHR Press Release on the common currency 22 December President Clinton visits Sarajevo and meets US troops in Tuzla 23 December German Chancellor Helmut Kohl visits Sarajevo Council of Ministers session 24 December Statement by the Senior Deputy HR, Dr. Hanns Schumacher, following the CoM meeting and its failure to adopt an interim Customs Tariff Schedule. Senior Deputy HR welcomed the invitation to the deputies-elect from the Federation to attend the inaugural session of the new RS National Assembly on 27 December. US Defence Secretary, William Cohen, visited US troops in Tuzla. 27 December Inaugural session of the new RS National Assembly (Speech by the Senior Deputy HR). Bosnian Serb President, Biljana Plavsic, proposed Mladen Ivanic as the next Bosnian Serb Prime Minister. 29 December Ejup Ganic took over from Vladimir Soljic as the new BiH Federation President. 30 December Signing of agreement between the Federation and the Republika Srpska on co-operation in the field of Mine Action (OHR Press Release). 31 December The High Representative declared his intention to establish, by 20 January, an independent commission which will propose, by 31 March 1998, alternatives for the flag of BiH. Amb. Robert Farrand issued the Second Addendum to the Order on Judiciary in the RS Municipality of Brcko. New Year message by the High Representative broadcast on BiH News, SRT Banja Luka news, and on Open Broadcast Network. 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 Office of the High Representative