Headlines
- Numerous NGOs condemned yesterday’s incident near Bratunac
- The B&H Presidency is responsible for crisis in the Council of Ministers, said Wolfgang Petritsch, the High Representative
- Petritsch changed the Law on privatisation of companies and banks in B&H
- Great Britain sent reinforcement to Sierra Leone
Banja Luka
Numerous organisations condemned yesterday’s attack on 180 women near Bratunac. The RS Internal Ministry said that they will pursue those who were responsible for the incident. The OHR and OSCE invited the RS authorities to find the culprits. Reported by Darko Savic.
“If someone warned them us a mass of people were gathered near Bratunac, we would have returned”, some of the women told the OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic. It was demanded from SFOR and IPTF to fight more decisively against those who oppose refugee return.
Sarajevo
The Council of Ministers haven’t met in the last 4 months, because the Chairman hasn’t been appointed yet. The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch hasn’t reacted to this so far. “Imposing something as important as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers is not a good signal for the B&H people”, said James Ferguson, the OHR Spokesman. OBN journalist, Vedran Persic, produced the report.
Sarajevo
The High Representative for B&H, Wolfgang Petritsch changed the Law on privatisation of companies and banks in B&H, in order to encourage and protect foreign investors. Companies and banks were excluded from restitution within the privatisation process, as well as their land, property and buildings. If any legitimate requests for restitution exist, authorities are obliged to provide an adequate compensation. The report was produced by OBN reporter Amarildo Gutic.
Sarajevo
The World Bank will not grant a loan to “Elektroprivreda B&H”, if this company participates in purchase of two planes. “It is probably not a good idea to make any large investments before the privatisation. After the privatisation, new owner should decide on any investments”, said Elain W. Peterson, the Deputy Director of the World Bank.
Tuzla
Employees of the company “Tuzla-putevi” haven’t received their salaries for 5 months. The Union decided to replace the Director, Muhamed Sijercic and his 5 close associates. Employees will demand from the Internal Ministry to investigate responsibility of the replaced management members. Reported by Sabina Dizdarevic from Tuzla.
World
The UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan invited UN members to help Sierra Leone.
Great Britain sent an aircraft carrier and 600 commandos to Sierra Leone, as a reinforcement to the British contingent there.
Ethiopian forces started a new offensive on the border with Eritrea.
The Tamil rebels made Shri Lanca forces retreat.
Indonesian Government and representatives of the independence movement in northern province of Aceh signed an agreement on three-month-cease-fire, starting on the 2nd June.
The American Senate is discussing the proposal on the retreat of their forces from Kosovo next year, if the Congress don’t approve prolongation of their stay there.
The piece on current events in the world was produced by Zeljka Lekic.
Banja Luka
The US Deputy Envoy for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Robert Bicroft, met the RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik today. Bicroft said that the meeting was very positive. Jean Lui Tauran, the Holy See Foreign Minister also visited Banja Luka. The aim of this visit was to encourage refugee return. The report was produced by Tatjana Lajsic.
Plehan
Only 1% of houses in Plehan, near Derventa were reconstructed. 25 returnees live there now, and there were 8500 pre-war inhabitants. This is only the beginning of refugee return in Plehan. Reported by Branka Vrebac.
Banja Luka
The RS Farmers’ Assembly will demand resignation of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Milenko Savic, because he is not interested in farmers’ problems. Farmers claim that the Ministry doesn’t want to co-operate with their co-operatives, Sanela Zivkovic confirmed from Banja Luka.
Sarajevo
The South Korea Government brought a DM 250 000-worth-donation for the Federation Ministry of Agriculture. “It will take a long time to reconstruct agriculture and other activities”, said Ahmed Smajic, the Minister of Agriculture. Reported by Anes Alic.
Sarajevo
Slobodan Maksimovic produced a piece on (non)implementation of the Law on alternative military service in both B&H entities.
Sport
Reports on European Junior Tennis Tournament “Zenica 2000”, international tennis and NBA league were presented.