OBN News Review, 20 August 2000 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

The German Minister of Defence, Rudolf Scharping visited B&H
The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik denied Ambassador Miller’s claims about KM 200 million deficit in the RS budget
Private vehicles that drive in Yugoslavia from B&H will have to pay KM150 in the future
Divers reached the Russian submarine at the bottom of the Barents Sea, but failed to open it

Sarajevo

The German Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Organisation of European Social-democrats, Rudolf Scharping met SDP representatives in Sarajevo. The aim of the visit is implementation of aid projects, mainly for municipalities where SDP won the majority of votes. Mr. Scharping announced next visit of German experts, who will prepare new projects. Anes Alic produced the report.

Banja Luka

The RS Prime Minister denied claims about existence of a budget deficit in the RS. He rejected critiques of the US Ambassador, Thomas Miller about the RS Government. As for the announced construction of a refugee camp in Kastel, Dodik feels that this is a kind of political pressure of parties from the Federation. Reported by Sanela Zivkovic.

Karakaj

According to the last week’s decision, vehicles which drive in B&H from Yugoslavia will have to pay for a border insurance. Number of Yugoslav vehicles in B&H decreased after adoption of this measure. Since Friday evening, B&H green cards for vehicles have been invalid in Yugoslavia. Insurance for private vehicles who drive in Yugoslavia is KM 150. The report was produced by Vesna Mladenovic.

Sarajevo

Two persons were arrested, under suspicion that they forged seals of the Livno Customs Office and the Prozor Tax Administration. On the basis of these seals, they sold vehicles to the citizens, and embezzled several DM million. Arrest warrants were issued for two other suspects. Most vehicles that were imported in this way were confiscated from citizens. Reported by Damir Kaletovic.

Sarajevo

Unemployment rate in the Federation of B&H is 39%. Despite of this fact, contribution for unemployment insurance was reduced to 2%. According to the information from the latest issue of “Dani” magazine, money from employment institutes was mostly spent for financing the Federation Prime Minister’s Office and certain ministries. According to “Dani”, the Federal Employment Institute had KM 30 million of revenue in 7 months of the last year. Only KM 1 million were spent for employment. The rest of the obliged money was spent for salaries of employees in the Institute. Amarildo Gutic produced the report.

Kostajnica

Employees of the factory “Plavi Cvijet” from Kostajnica have been on strike for 45 days. Employees still demand their monthly salaries. The Factory Director was appointed as the Municipal Head for Agriculture, avoiding in this way the responsibility for the employees. The report was produced by Milena Letic-Joves.

World

According to Albanian sources in Pristina, a strong explosion took place in the Headquarters of the Kosovo Democratic Union last night.

The Russian Public is embittered because of hesitation of the Russian Government to accept help from western countries in rescuing the submarine “Kursk”.

2 policemen were killed in North Spain. Police arrested three people in the Vittoria city, under suspicion that they were connected with “ETA”.

The Cechenian guerrilla attacked several polling stations around the country. The Cechenian President Mashadov said that these elections were unconstitutional.

The 15th “Youth Days” ended in Rome. The Pope John Paul II called for young people to defend peace. Mladen Maric produced the report on world events.

Sarajevo

New revision of invalidity degree in the Federation of B&H is underway. More than 300 invalidity attestations were annulled. 11 war invalids pressed charges because of unfounded reduction of their invalidity degrees. Reported by Sevko Bajic.

Sarajevo

The Canton Administration in Novi Grad municipality received 11 000 requests for restitution of flats. 1200 persons returned to their homes so far. The Administration does not have an adequate space for work, and this is the main reason for slowness in their work. Adis Saranovic produced the report.

Sarajevo

104 154 persons emigrated from B&H to the USA, Australia and Canada since 1994. The main reason for emigration of young people is unstable economic situation in B&H. Reported by Svjetlana Celic.

Sarajevo

The aim of this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival is to encourage local production. Therefore, several encounters between local and famous international producers will be organised within the Festival. Reported by Gordana Frimel.

Sport

Reports on local and international football, and motorcycle racing were presented.