Headlines
- NATO intensifies air strikes against Yugoslavia – another seventy two fighters will be deployed in Turkey
- Diplomacy continues efforts in order to find a solution for the Kosovo crisis
- Two days before the donor conference for BiH – Presidency will send a letter to donors asking support for implementation of reforms in BiH
- BiH House of Peoples adopts federal budget
- RS National Assembly discussed the RS budget in Banja Luka
- Preparations in the Headquarters of the EC
- Travnik – resignation of the Interior Minister accepted; UN Mission in BiH urged the BiH Government to appoint new leadership of the Interior Ministry
- Election of the Israeli new Prime Minister welcomed all over the world – new step in the Middle East peace process
Sarajevo
Two days before the fifth Donor Conference for BiH in Brussels, activities of entities’ and state authorities were intensified. The BiH Presidency decided to send a letter to donors explaining that important economic progress has been made. However, the international funds are still necessary.
This was followed by a report from the BiH Parliament House of Peoples session on which the BiH budget for this year was adopted.
Banja Luka
The third special session of the RS National Assembly was also marked by the forthcoming Donor Conference. One of the preconditions for the Conference is the adoption of the RS budget for this year.
Sarajevo
Ivo Ilic Gabara, spokesman for the EC Mission, said that they would continue to follow indications of the High Representative on how authorities in both BiH entities respect provisions and the spirit of the Dayton Peace Agreement and according to that will decide on further payments of funds.
Brussels
A report on the preparations for the forthcoming Donor Conference in Brussels. For the time being, it is still unclear the exact amount that will be donated at the Conference. The BiH delegation, consisting of more than fifty members, is expected to arrive tomorrow afternoon.
Yugoslavia
During the NATO strikes against the Federal Republic Yugoslavia, the main Yugoslav highway was cut off. NATO intensified air strikes, OBN reporter from Belgrade, Tatjana Stankovic, confirmed. Another seventy two NATO fighters would be deployed in Turkey.
Kosovo
The US President, Bill Clinton, said that the possibility of deploying ground troops should not be rejected regardless of the progress made by the air campaign and hopes that diplomatic efforts could bring peace.
The US Defence Secretary, William Cohen, said that 1,5 million Kosovo Albanians had been expelled from Kosovo to date. The delegation of the UN Humanitarian Agency, who will spend ten days in Yugoslavia, should evaluate humanitarian needs of the population as well as long-term measures for securing displaced persons in Kosovo before the winter.
Sarajevo
A debate on the Srebrenica tragedy was held in Sarajevo today. Although more than thirty officials of the BiH and International authorities were invited, only a few of them came. Families of 10,000 missing Srebrenica citizens still do not know the truth about what has happened to their sons, fathers and brothers.
Zenica
OBN reporter from Zenica, Koraljka Kurcenberger, reports on the results of refugee return to the Zenica-Doboj Canton. Evaluations on this were brought up at the round table meeting held in Zenica today. The Deputy High Representative for Refugee Return, Andy Bearpark, said that the needs of this region were immense.
Israel
A report on the election of the new Israeli Prime Minister. His election was welcomed all over the world.
Travnik
A piece on the resignation of the Srednja-Bosna Canton Interior Minister, Enes Handzic. UN Mission in BiH urged the BiH Government to appoint new leadership of the Interior Ministry in order to implement reforms of the police forces of the Canton.
Banja Luka
A report on the signing of a memo between SFOR representatives and the RS authorities on import and control of oil entering this BiH entity.
Tuzla
The International Business Forum “Perspectives” will be held in Tuzla between 26th and 28th May. Participants of the forum will be representatives of the local authorities, state institutions and international community.
Banovici
Families of dead soldiers and war invalids blocked a road between Zivinice and Banovici yesterday due to unpaid pensions. The road was un-blocked around midnight. This was just one in a series of similar events.
Sport
The new champion of BiH in basketball is the Bosna team from Sarajevo. This was followed by a report from the second round of the International chess tournament “Bosna 99” held today in Sarajevo. NBA results were announced.
Sarajevo
At the car park near the Federal Ministry Building in Sarajevo, an explosive device was placed under a car. The Police were informed in time and de-activated the device. Investigation is undergoing.