Headlines
- Milo Dukanovic’s coalition won the elections in Podgorica, and Bulatovic’s party won in Herceg Novi
- The RS Assembly session was postponed
- Croatia is closer to the membership of the EU
- According to the ICG expert for Balkan, James Hooper, Kosovo will become independent in 2-5 years
Montenegro
The first election results were announced today in Montenegro. Milo Dukanovic’s coalition won the elections in Podgorica, and Bulatovic’s party won in Herceg Novi. Dukanovic addressed his supporters in Podgorica, saying that Milosevic’s forces were losing in Montenegro. Reported by Amarildo Gutic from Podgorica.
Sarajevo
Employees of the company “Energoinvest” are in a very difficult situation. They are announcing a strike if the management don’t fulfill their requests and if they don’t receive salaries soon. The report was produced by Sanjin Beciragic.
Zenica
Miners of the Zenica coal mine started a strike today. They haven’t received their salaries for two months. The Union announces that they will not end the strike until their requests are fulfilled. Reorted by Sanela Vilasevic.
The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch imposed changes and additions to the RS law on courts and the law on public prosecution. In this way, the Minister of Justice will not have the right to be a member of the Supreme Court Council.
Banja Luka
The RS Assembly session was postponed, and it should take place on 21st June. The Government’s work during the past 2,5 years should have been discussed on a session today. Reported by Tatjana Lajsic.
Sarajevo
The Federal Parliament rejected the draft law on formation of Uskoplje municipality today. The Federal Government feel that the adoption of the law should be postponed until refugee return is completed. According to the Federal law, a municipality cannot be formed if more than 50% members of one nation left the municipality during the war. Delegates prolonged deadline for flat purchase until 6th September. Reported by Anes Alic.
Rome
The Council of Europe Commission considered conditions which B&H should have fulfilled in order to become a member of the Council. The Council was satisfied with the appointment of the new Chairman of the Council of Ministers. One of the conditions for the membership was the adoption of an election law. The B&H Government will do everything they can in order to pass the law before October, the Federal Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic confirmed from Rome.
World
The European Commission recommended opening of negotiations with Croatia about their joining the EU.
The great obstacle for Turkish membership of the EU is the existence of death sentence in this country. The Turkish Prime Minister supported the abolishment of the sentence.
The EU Commissioner said that he was worried because of the German proposal of the future, Federal Europe.
The Chairman of the Chinese Parliament, Lee Peng addressed the Yugoslav Assembly today.
The Head of the UN mission in Kosovo, Bernard Kouschner called Serbs to participate in the work of the Kosovo Administration.
The son of the dead Syrian President was appointed as his successor on Sunday.
The Commander of Russian forces in Cechenia confirmed the beginning of a large military operation in Cechenia. Adis Saranovic produced the piece on current world events.
Sarajevo
The Special UN Reporter for human rights, Jirzy Dinstbir said that the right on return was often violated in B&H. “I think that the work of the International Community should be more co-ordinated here, but that B&H people should also actively participate in solving their problems”, Mr. Dinstbir said. According to Dinstbir, Kosovo is the greatest failure of the International Community. Reported by Sevko Bajic.
Washington
The ICG expert for Balkan, James Hooper feels that Kosovo will become independent in two to five years. “The International Community has to build a legal way to independence of Kosovo, because this is the only way”, Hooper said. Reported by Vedran Persic.
Prijedor
The RS Ministry of Education decided to close the Business School in Prijedor. Students prevented police from entering the building. “The main problem of the school is that it has too many students”, said Zlatko Gundalo, the RS Deputy Minister of education. The report was produced by Milena Letic-Joves.
Sport
Reports on local and international football, as well as the NBA league were presented.
Sarajevo
On Friday, 16th June an exhibition of British companies will be opened in Sarajevo, within the festival “Britain&Bosnia”. Prince Andrew will open the exhibition. Reported by Slobodan Maksimovic.