OBN News Review, 11 August 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

The last eclipse in this millenium. Millions of people around the world watched the event
New incidents in Drvar
Possibility of expanding the indictment against Slobodan Milosevic announced
Kosovska Mitrovica – peace implementation on test
Dagestan – new victims
Topic of TV INFO – problems in Bosnian agriculture

World/eclipse

TV stations around the world broadcast the eclipse. The end of the world that many expected did not occur. Most of the streets in Yugoslavia and Bosnia were empty. In Bosnia, the eclipse was about 95%. Another similar eclipse will take place in 137 years. The report was produced by OBN reporter Adis Saranovic.

Banja Luka

An hour before the eclipse, the streets in Banja Luka were completely empty. The eclipse was only partly visible. OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Suzana Vukcevic, produced the report.

Drvar

One of the two Serb families who returned to Drvar, was attacked by a group of Croats. The attacked Serb was expelled from his home. Police in Banja Luka identified those who attacked two Serb women on 4th June, announced the IPTF representative Alan Roberts in Banja Luka. He also said that police from Prijedor have sent to the IPTF the plan for return of Bosniaks to Dubica. Roberts added that the IPTF representatives shall again meet with the minister of internal affairs of Canton 10 by the end of the week, regarding the 15 Serb and 2 Bosniak policemen starting work in this Canton reported OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Biljana Arsic.

The Hague

ICTY denied the right on free lawyers for 7 indicted Bosnian Croats. The Tribunal announced that the means for this ( 4 300 000 DM ) have been gathered at an auction of ‘works of art’ in Mostar on 18th June by the Organisation of Croat prisoners in The Hague.

Kosovska Mitrovica

Albanians who required the entry to part of Kosovska Mitrovica controlled by the Serbs, clashed with KFOR again. Few Albanians have been hurt, and 78 of them arrested. UNHCR condemned the violence against Serbs who stayed in Pristina. 9 of them were killed last week. ICTY representative, Paul Risley, said that the Tribunal might expand the indictment against Slobodan Milosevic on the basis of new evidence from Kosovo. Serb orthodox church episcopes appealed to Slobodan Milosevic and Milan Milutinovic to resign, in order to stop the crisis. Protests against Milosevic continued last night in Pirot, Leskovac and Kragujevac. The report was produced by OBN reporter Zeljka Lekic.

Fojnica

Canton ministers, together with the OHR, UNHCR and OSCE representatives visited Fojnica today. They talked with municipal officials on the issue of return and reconstruction of this municipality. Process of return to this town has already started. According to municipal officials Naser Selimovic and Branko Golub, the results of municipal elections should be implemented very soon. The report on this issue was produced by OBN reporter, Ana Drmac.

Komusina

About 90% of pre-war inhabitants of Komusina sent requests for return through the Association for Return. But, the reconstruction of houses has not started yet. Preparations are taking place for a great Catholic Holiday on 14th August. The report was produced by OBN reporter Muhamed Cabric.

World

UN have announced the Codex of rules for behaviour of their forces. The Codex shall work from tomorrow, at the 50th anniversary of The Geneva Convention. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan shall attend the celebration of this anniversary in Geneva. Reported by Zeljka Lekic.

Dagestan

In clashes between Russian forces and the Islamist rebels, 44 rebels were killed and 80 wounded. USA condemned the actions of Chechenian rebels against the legal authorities. The Islamist rebels proclaimed an independent Dagestan yesterday. New Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin met with the leaders and officials of the region, and Dagestan was the main issue at the meeting. Report was produced by OBN reporter Zeljka Lekic.

Pakistan/India

New tension in relations between India and Pakistan, after the Pakistani plane was shot.

Afganistan

Islamist police started the offensive against the Northern alliance. Both sides use heavy weapons.

USA

Unknown person opened gun fire in a local Jewish camp. 5 persons have been wounded. The report was produced by Zeljka Lekic.

Sarajevo

The process of privatisation in Bosnia is slow because of non-compliance with the existing laws.The statute of internal organisation should be made, in order to get credit. There is also a problem of a large number of employees. Report was produced by OBN reporter Sanjin Beciragic.

Brcko

The delivery of 2000 cows should take place in september. There is also a number of new tractors that are expected to be used this autumn. Reported by OBN reporter Slobodanka Radojkovic.

Blagaj

There have been many damages in agricultural estates in this area, as the result of bad weather last month. Report was produced by OBN reporter Sinisa Jokic.

Jezersko

The example of how small investments can provide jobs for peple in agriculture. Reported by OBN reporter Azra Bajric.

Banja Luka

IMC decided to make the criteria for obtaining broadcast licences more severe. Their main task is the division of frequences. Report was produced by OBN reporter Sanela Zivkovic.

Brestovsko

The Holiday of Saint Clara has been celebrated today in the only Monastery of St. Clara in Bosnia. Reported by OBN reporter Vanja Elezovic.

Sport

Reports on matches English Premier league, tennis matches in ATP tour and world championship in chess that takes place in Las Vegas.