OBN News Review, 14 April 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

Germany announced details of plan for stopping Kosovo crisis at European Union meeting in Brussels
First time since beginning of NATO strikes, daily explosions in Belgrade
British Defense Minister says that Ratko Mladic may be in Kosovo
More strict control of passengers and goods on BiH border with Serbia – story from border crossing, Pavlovica Most
World Bank approves new credit to BiH of 15 million dollars
Football championship of teams from whole territory of BiH agreed

Sarajevo

The High Representative, Carlos Westendorp, decided today to cancel all decisions on permanent occupancy rights, issued during and after the war in the BiH Federation and Republika Srpska.

Brussels

A summit of the European Union in Brussels is finished. The heads of the EU members discussed the Kosovo crisis. The German Chancellor announced details of a plan for the stopping of the Kosovo crisis. The plan includes 24-hour break in NATO strikes in order to provide enough time for Belgrade to start withdrawing its troops from Kosovo. The plan has six points: a deadline for a complete withdrawal of the Yugoslav troops from Kosovo; stopping of operations, disarmament and preservation of the positions currently held by the KLA; disposal of international peace troops; return of international humanitarian organizations to Kosovo; return of all refugees to their homes and establishing of UN administration until the final political solution has been reached.

Yugoslavia

During the last 24 hours, NATO troops made strong strikes on two bridges over the Lim River and continued to target commander control installations and communication lines of the Yugoslav Army. For the first time since the beginning of NATO air strikes, strong explosions could be heard in Belgrade during the day.

During the broadcast, OBN received a report on the killing of at least 20 Albanians in the NATO strikes in the south of Kosovo, France Press reported. A NATO plane allegedly hit twice a refugee convoy on the road between Djakovica and Prizren.

Russia

The Russian military authorities denied today that Russia had send or ordered sending of nine war ships towards Yugoslavia. After his meeting with Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade, the Belorussia President said that the Yugoslav leadership had categorically rejected military or police forces in Kosovo sent by NATO.

Washington

The USA Congress has started a debate on how long the military intervention in Kosovo would last and how much would it cost.

Macedonia

The Macedonian president has asked for membership of NATO.

Montenegro

Armed police forces are ready for the defense of Montenegro. War Navy established control over the harbors in Montenegro.

The Hague

The International Tribunal for War Crimes committed in the ex-Yugoslav region, made a decision to publicly announce indictment against Zeljko Raznjatovic Arkan. The British Minister of Defense, after quoting parts of indictment against Arkan, said:” But, perhaps even more disturbing is that we understand that another brutal veteran of Bosnian atrocities, general Ratko Mladic, is commanding a gang of paramilitaries in Kosovo”.

Kosovo – refugees

NATO will continue to disperse troops in Macedonia and Albania and organize flights for Tirana and Skopje in order to provide help to the biggest possible number of Kosovo refugees. A hundred and thirty thousand refugees have already been sent to the NATO members countries, and another consultative meeting on refugees is scheduled for April 15th in Geneva.

Banja Luka

The Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Zivko Radisic, held a consultative meeting with the presidents of the parliamentary political party clubs of representatives of the RS National Assembly in Banja Luka last night. The main issues were strikes against Yugoslavia, arbitrary decision on Brcko and election of new government.

Doboj

Around two thousand people gathered today in the streets of Doboj. They were protesting against NATO strikes and the rally was used for statements that would not encourage return of refugees.

Pavlovica Most (border crossing between BiH and Serbia)

From the beginning of NATO operation in Yugoslavia, 25 thousand refugees came from Yugoslavia. TV OBN’s crew from Bijeljina, made a research on the current situation with this border crossing. Stricter control of passengers and goods has been introduced.

Tesanj

Events in Yugoslavia had some negative consequences for the businesses in BiH. The “Enker” Factory used to sell an important part of its products in the Yugoslav market.

Sarajevo

A piece on students from Pristina, Sandzak, Belgrade, Nis and other Yugoslav universities who enroll to the Sarajevo University.

Sarajevo/Mostar/Banja Luka

After three weeks, airports in Mostar, Sarajevo and Banjaluka were opened for civilian transport. There was no information on this issue concerning Banja Luka airport.

Sarajevo

The World Bank approved new credit to BiH of 15 million dollars today. The funds will be used for the project of the local BiH authority bodies development.

Stolac

The session of the Stolac Municipality Council was interrupted due to the opposite positions of the CD Coalition and HDZ.

Bugojno

The mediator for BiH, Chriastian Schwarz Schilling, visited Bugojno today together with the president and vice president of the BiH Federation.

Zenica

At the meeting of the Federal and Canton Ministries for Social Policy and the RS office of “Merhamet”, position of Bosniaks in RS was discussed.

Suho Polje (Doboj)

A piece on return to the Doboj Municipality. Although there were good examples in Hadzici, Stanica Rijeka and Naselje Skola, there is no return to Suho Polje. Some 50 Serb families are currently placed in the village.

Sarajevo

A piece on the State Hospital in Sarajevo and its future. The co-president of the BiH Council of Ministers, Haris Silajdzic, visited the hospital today.