OBN News Review, 17 May 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

Last night, most of NATO flights were cancelled; air campaign still concentrated on South West of Kosovo
Meeting of the EU foreign ministers with the Chief of the Russian diplomacy, Igor Ivanov, with the leader of the Democratic Association of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, and with the Montenegrin President Milo Dukanovic
London Times reports that NATO troops could enter Kosovo in July or August without reaching a peace agreement
Ambassador of the European Commission in BiH visited Banja Luka today
In Sarajevo, a session of the Council of Ministers held – preparations for the forthcoming donor conference
Employees of “Armature” factory blocked the “Energoinvest” building in Sarajevo due to unpaid salaries and stopping of production
Election in Israel began this morning

Yugoslavia

While the intensity of the NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia calms down due to severe weather conditions, the allies are intensifying their diplomatic activities. Today in Brussels, meetings were held with all those who can help to end the Kosovo crisis. Again, there are some indications for ground intervention.

For the last 24 hours, troops, artillery and military airports were the main targets of NATO strikes against Yugoslavia. NATO officials reported that there were no indications of withdrawal of the Serbian forces in Kosovo and that they were continuing their military operations. OBN reporter in Belgrade, Tatjana Stankovic, sent her report for TV Info.

Kosovo – refugees

NATO spokesman, Jamie Shea, said that the Serbian forces have sent back 120 refugees from the border with Albania. He said that the same thing happened to a train with two thousand Kosovo refugees heading towards Macedonia. Jamie Shea added that there are indications that more than 40,000 Kosovo Albanians are moving towards the Kosovo border with Macedonia.

Sarajevo

Today’s session of the Council of Ministers featured the forthcoming donor conference scheduled for 20th and 21st of May in Brussels. The session was attended by a representative of the International Monetary Fund. He was asked to help BiH with the introduction of preventive measures due to the current situation in the neighbourhood.

Banja Luka

The EC Ambassador in BiH, Hansjorg Krechmer, met with the BiH Presidency Chairman, Zivko Radisic, in Banja Luka today. He says that the forthcoming donor conference is a great chance for BiH and that BiH should present itself as a country where politicians co-operate closely.

Israel

A report on the beginning of the elections for the new prime minister and parliament in Israel.

Sarajevo

The US Ambassador in BiH, Richard Kauzlarich, met with the Minister of Civil Affairs and Communications of the BiH Council of Ministers, Marko Asanin, in Sarajevo today. The main issue on the agenda was securing refugees from Yugoslavia. This was followed by a report on refugees from the Federal Republic Yugoslavia in BiH. In the BiH Federation, there are four collective centers for the Serbian refugees. Our crew visited one of the centers.

Sarajevo

A report on the employees of the “Armature” factory blocking the “Energoinvest” building in Sarajevo due to unpaid salaries for the last six months and the stopping of production. Employees said that they would be on strike until their conditions were met.

A round table meeting was held today in Sarajevo about relations between the International Community and agriculture in BiH. The BiH Government will present the problems at the fifth Donor Conference in Brussels.

Zenica

A piece on a seminar held in Zenica on how to be granted with credit from the USAID. The seminar was organised by USAID and the Zenica-Doboj Canton. Head of the USAID Mission in BiH, Craig Buck, attended the seminar.

International Telecommunications Day

A report on the need for one BiH telecommunication system to serve the Bosniaks, Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Serbs instead of the current systems which is divided into three.

Sarajevo

A centre for cancer was opened today in Sarajevo. The centre should provide help to all citizens of BiH. Up to now, $5,5 million has been invested in the building of the centre.

Zenica

OBN reporter discovers some indications of the epidemic meningitis in the Zenica-Doboj Canton. Today, the German members of SFOR donated 100,000 DEM to sick children.

Rajlovac

A report on one of the best field hospitals in Europe, situated in Rajlovac near Sarajevo. This is the first time that this SFOR hospital is presented publicly. OBN cameras were there exclusively.

Sport

International chess tournament “Bosna 99” began in Sarajevo today. This report was followed by the BiH team leaving for the Euro Cup of Sitting Volleyball in the Netherlands. Results of NBA matches in the Play Off, international hockey and football matches were presented.