02.12.1999

OBN News Review, 2 December 1999

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Headlines

  • The BiH Federation Government decided not to increase oil and oil derivatives price
  • The RS National Assembly discussed the New York Declaration
  • Tuzla “Vikalo case” extended with new charges – four Government officials resigned
  • After more than 25 years, Northern Ireland gained autonomy
  • Conference of the world trade association in Seattle still in the shadow of street protests
  • The 50th anniversary of the Sarajevo University

Sarajevo

Today the BiH Federation Government held its session in Mostar. Representatives decided not to increase oil and oil derivatives price for this year. A decision whether the price would go up was postponed for some of the forthcoming sessions. The Vice President of the BiH Federation, Dragan Covic, said that the Government, together with importers of oil in the Federation, had strength to control the situation. Because of the previously announced decrease of prices, fuel stations in the BiH Federation were crowded today, OBN reporter Adis Saranovic, confirmed.

Banja Luka

A report on the special session of the RS National Assembly about the New York Declaration and the participation of the RS high officials at the round table meeting in Dayton. The Co-chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, Svetozar Mihajlovic, and the RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, explained that participants in Dayton discussed the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and that opinions were different. The RS Prime Minister suggested the establishment of a Commission for Truth and Reconciliation because of different positions regarding the BiH war. The report was produced by OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Dragan Stanimirovic.

Mostar

At today’s session in Mostar, the BiH Federation Government discussed the budget for next year. The Government suggested that the budget should be 940 million DEM. The Vice President of the Government, Dragan Covic, said that approximately 330 million would go to the Army and around 258 million for soldiers and invalids categories. Today, the Government adopted draft measures of economic policy in 2000. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Denis Vila.

Tuzla

Criminal charges for the misuse of official authorities were raised against four officials of the Tuzla Canton. The Supreme Court of the BiH Federation asked for the annulling of immunity for the Vice President of the Tuzla Canton Government, Mehmed Bajraktarevic, and the Tuzla Canton Government Ministers, Ismet Osmanovic, Muhibija Delic and Adib Dzozic, in order to start a criminal procedure against them. At last night’s session, four officials resigned. The report was produced by OBN reporter from the area, Muhamed Berbic.

World

After 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland, the authority for government in the province was taken over by the regional Government made up of both pro-British and pro-Irish political parties. This was followed by a report on the autumn session of the defence ministers of NATO member countries in Brussels. The participants discussed the situation in Kosovo, BiH and Chechenia. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced they might withdraw their troops from Kosovo if KFOR do not stop violence in the area. In the meantime, Russian strikes against Chechenia continue. This was followed by a report on a train crash near Sydney in Australia. At least 12 people were killed while more than 50 people were injured. The report on current events in the world was produced by OBN reporter, Zeljka Lekic.

Seattle

Yesterday, a curfew was proclaimed in the center of Seattle, USA. The curfew was introduced because of street protests organised against the World Trade Association which currently holds its Conference in the city. Up to last night, police had arrested at least 400 people. The report was produced by OBN journalist, Mladen Maric.

Mostar

A report on the visit of US Ambassador in BiH, Thomas Miller, to Mostar. The Ambassador met separately with the Mostar Mayor, Ivan Prskalo, the Deputy Mayor, Safet Orucevic, and the new President of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Josip Merdzo. Ambassador Miller told the Canton officials that the Hercegovina-Neretva Canton would not receive support from the International Community until they achieved results regarding refugee return in the area, OBN reporter from Mostar, Pejo Gasparevic, confirmed.

Sarajevo

The Office of the German Government for refugee return, reintegration and reconstruction in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be closed on December 31st. This will mean the end of the diplomatic mission of the German Envoy, Hans Koschnick. Currently, there are more than 50,000 BiH refugees in Germany. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Sevko Bajic.

This was followed by a report on the restructuring of the Multinational Brigade located in Sarajevo. This restructure is a part of the general restructuring of SFOR. At the same time, Germany and France will decrease the number of its troops with newly formed, French and German fight units. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Vedran Persic.

A piece on the 50th anniversary of the Sarajevo University was produced by OBN reporter, Mirna Sadikovic. Today, the University is faced with problems how to reconstruct devastated buildings and purchase necessary equipment.

Mostar

A report on the opening of the monument to the victims of Holocaust in Mostar within the celebration of the Jewish holiday, Hanuka. Representatives of the International Community, religious communities and BiH authorities attended the ceremony, OBN reporter from the area, Zlatko Serdarevic, confirmed.

Sport

A report on the European Chess Championship and results of the BiH chess team was followed by a piece on the International Christmas Tournament in Indoor Football “Sarajevo 99”. OBN will be a media sponsor of the event.