Headlines
- Continuation of NATO troops’ deployment in Kosovo
- Kosovo Liberation Army seized Morina border crossing
- Thirty thousand Serbs flee Kosovo
- Central Bank Governor happy with distribution of KM in Republika Srpska
- Thomas Miller announced to be the next USA Ambassador in BiH
- Doboj – 440 locations approved for building houses of refugees
- Croatian officials help Croatian returnees to reconstruct their houses
- Topic of TV Info – problem of unemployment in Banja Luka
- Right wing parties lead on elections for the European Parliament
Kosovo
Currently, there are 14 thousand international troops in Kosovo. KFOR Commander, the British General, Michael Jackson, decided to establish the NATO Headquarters in Kosovo in the South part of Pristina, instead at the airport Slatina, as was previously planned. Between 8 and 10 thousand Yugoslav Army troops have withdrawn from Kosovo to date. OBN reporter, Natasa Narancic, reports from Kosovo.
Bijeljina
The first convoy of the Russian troops and armoured vehicles arrived in Kosovo on Friday evening. The second Russian convoy, which left BiH for Yugoslavia a few days ago, returned to the Headquarters in Ugljevik, OBN reporter from Bijeljina, Darko Milosevic, confirmed. There was no official information on this.
Kosovo
This was followed by a report on the first mass graves found by international troops in Kosovo, presumably containing dead Kosovo Albanians’ bodies. In the meantime, Serbs flee Kosovo. The Montenegro Commissioner for Refugees, Dorde Scepanovic, said that around 11,800 Serbs had arrived in Montenegro to date.
Sarajevo
OBN reporter, Sanjin Beciragic, asked the Director of the International Crisis Group, James Lyon, to comment on the current events in Kosovo. ICG Director said that if the Russians get their separate sector, this would result in a division of Kosovo.
This was followed by an extract from the OBN show Washington Window where the German Ambassador for the UN, Juergen Chrobog, answered questions about the Pact of Stability for South East Europe, adopted last week in Koln. The Ambassador said that the Pack would prevent all future wars in the Balkans.
Rotation of the BiH Presidency members, provided by the Constitution, will be implemented tomorrow. Ante Jelavic will change the current BiH Presidency Chairman, Zivko Radisic.
It was officially announced today that Thomas Miller would be the next USA Ambassador in BiH. Only the US Congress has to give the green light. This is a regular diplomatic rotation and the current USA Ambassador in BiH, Richard Kauzlarich, will be the guest of the OBN special programme on the Kosovo crisis tomorrow night. A report on Thomas Miller’s career followed.
Banja Luka
A report on the meeting between the BiH Presidency Chairman, Zivko Radisic, and the Governor of the Central Bank in BiH; Peter Nicholl, in Banja Luka today. The Governor expressed his satisfaction regarding the use of KM in the RS.
Sarajevo
The Forum on Fiscal Decentralization in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held today in Sarajevo. The Forum was organized with cooperation from the Schools of Economics from Banja Luka and Sarajevo. Government officials from both entities were present at the Forum.
Doboj
In the Doboj Municipality, 440 locations have been approved for building houses for refugees and displaced persons. OBN reporter from Doboj, Svjetlana Celic – Ninkovic, confirmed the report.
Croat Returnees
A report on an aid convoy provided by HDZ for the Croat returnees’ reconstruction of houses in the Zenica-Doboj, Srednja-Bosna, Neretva, Sarajevo and Posavina Canton. The convoy was escorted by the OBN affiliate station, TV Kiss, reporters.
Banja Luka
A report on unemployment in the RS. The biggest number of unemployed people is in Banja Luka. OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Milorad Milojevic, produced a report on this.
Sarajevo
Representatives of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights presented an analysis at the press conference held today in Sarajevo about the importance of the media being able to report freely in BiH. They gave many examples where this had been breached.
Banja Luka
A report on the Slovenian Community in the RS. Approximately 2,000 Slovenians currently live in the RS and they will soon hold an annual assembly.
Brcko
A report on the German Government donation to Brcko. The funds are provided for expert training of judges in the district.
World
A report on the elections for the European Parliament was followed by a report on preliminary results from the elections in Indonesia, current events in Kashmir and the Pope’s visit to Poland.
Sarajevo
A piece on the Federal Army officers training in english. The training is conducted in the Center for the Professional Development, funded by the US Government.
This was followed by a report on scholarships, granted by the Austrian Office of the World University Service, to the BiH post-graduates.
Zenica
A report on the Children Music Festival held last night in Zenica.
Sport
Reports from the World Championship in volleyball and Formula One racing in Montreal were presented. Preparations for the Copa America followed.