OBN News Review, 12 September 2000 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

“Hvidra” removed blockage in Mostar
A bomb was put in a vehicle of the RS Ministry for Refugees in Banja Luka
The House of Peoples at the Federal Parliament had a session today
39th “Days of Poetry” started in Sarajevo

Mostar

“The action was carried out in accordance with the Law”, said Stefo Lehmann, the UN Spokesman in Mostar, talking about yesterday’s arrest of Zoran Basic and Goran Vlajnic. Members of “Hvidra” blocked the main road yesterday, protesting against the arrest. The blockage was removed this morning. Reported by Denis Vila.

Sarajevo

International organisations held a press conference today, after yesterday’s action in Mostar. “The action of special police forces in Mostar was completely legal and professional. It was supported by the UN”, said Douglas Coffman, the UN Spokesman. Slobodan Maksimovic produced the report.

Guest in TV INFO was Douglas Coffman, the Spokesman of the UN Mission in B&H. “Goran Vlajnic was interrogated and then released”, Mr. Coffman said. “I think that yesterday’s action of “Hvidra” in Mostar was exaggerated.”, he added. Talking about proposal of the Presidency Member, Ante Jelavic about abolition of “minor” crimes, Mr. Coffman said that this was probably a part of the pre-election campaign, and that there can be no division of crimes.

“Women trafficking is a serious problem in B&H. The police should deal with it more seriously”, the Spokesman said in the end of the interview.

Banja Luka

A vehicle, which belonged to the RS Ministry for Refugees exploded in Banja Luka last night. The police discovered remains of a bomb. Investigation is underway.

Sarajevo

The House of Peoples of the Federal Parliament adopted 10 laws. Delegates voted against adoption of changes in the Law on retirement and social insurance. The conclusion was that it should be discussed as a draft law. Reported by Mirna Sadikovic.

Sarajevo

“Economic catastrophe is at hand, because the Government or the Parliament practically do not carry out reforms. Therefore, there will be no international financial support”, the Director of the World Bank in B&H, Joseph Ingram said for OBN. Mr. Ingram was disappointed because changes in the Law on retirement and social insurance were not adopted. Amarildo Gutic produced the report.

Sarajevo

The scheduled session of the B&H Council of Ministers did not take place today, due to the lack of quorum. The Chairman of the Council, Spasoje Tusevljak did not know that some of the ministers were away on business. Reported by Adis Saranovic.

Banja Luka

The RS Government organised a session in Banja Luka today. They decided to start a court trial because of the decision of the RS Assembly to dissolve the Government. They feel that the decision was unconstitutional, and that this was an attempt of coup in the RS.

Zagreb

The meeting of the Stability Pact Working Group continued in Zagreb. The Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan emphasised that Croatia expected aid from international organisations connected to the Pact. The Stability Pact Co-ordinator, Bodo Hombach said that countries of the South East Europe should carry out reforms in order to receive support from the International Community. Reported by Gordana Simonovic.

Brussels

Journalists from former Yugoslavia met NATO officials in Brussels today. “B&H has to have a unified Army”, the NATO Secretary General, George Robertson said. Addressing journalists from Yugoslavia, Mr. Robertson called for them not to vote for Milosevic at the forthcoming elections. Vedran Persic produced the report.

World

The Director of the Department for Planning and Reconstruction of Kosovo, Redzep Luci was killed last night in Pristina.

The Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic started his pre-election campaign by opening of a part of the thermo-electric plant “Derdap”.

The US Secretary General, Madeline Albright met foreign ministers of neighbouring countries of Serbia and Montenegro.

Protests against high oil prices continued in countries of Western Europe.

300 000 people were evacuated from the city of Nagoya in Japan, due to huge floods.

Zeljka Lekic reported on current world events.

Sarajevo

The 39th “Days of Poetry” was opened in Sarajevo today, Meliha Hasanbegovic reported.

Sport

Reports on international football were presented.

Prelimir Pehar, employee of OBN’s affiliate “Oskar C” in Mostar was buried yesterday. He died in a car accident, travelling from Capljina to Mostar.