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

Headlines

A new bus line between the east and west parts of Mostar was opened
300 employees of a work unit of “Energoinvest” are on strike
The main ICTY Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte visited Kosovo
A conference for media in south-east Europe started in Budapest

Mostar

A new bus line between the east and west parts of the town was opened. The transport of passengers will be free. “This is a clear signal that a better future is in front of us”, said Safet Orucevic the Mayor of Mostar. Reported by Ines Kajic.

Drvar

SFOR and Drvar police are searching for Zvonimir Cabrajic, the refugee from Vares who allegedly killed policeman Ratko Sopic and wounded Borislav Miocevic. Serb refugees say that they would leave Drvar again, because they feel endangered. Reported by Dragan Stanimirovic.

Sarajevo

Employees of the “Energoinvest” factory of transmission-line pylons started a strike on 12th June. They demand three monthly salaries that the factory owes them. “We will try to solve current financial problems and provide stable business transactions”, said Edin Campara, the Director of the “TDS-Energoinvest”. The report was produced by Anes Alic.

Sarajevo

Members of the International Economic Group met B&H authorities today. They discussed legislation reform. Entity governments should change the existing laws on work by the end of July. “Once they pass new laws, we will provide them with additional financing, to help them pass this transition”, said Joseph Ingram, the Director of the World Bank. The International Economic Group already announced new themes for further discussions: telecommunications, tax rates and realisation of entity budgets. OBN reporter Amarildo Gutic produced the report.

Sarajevo

James O’Brien, the Special Adviser of the US President for the Democratisation of the Balkans arrived in B&H today. He met B&H officials Alija Izetbegovic and Zivko Radisic. “I am here this week, because there is important work on economic reform, especially privatisation and development of new legislation”, said Mr. O’Brien. “I hope that we will help people in B&H start normal lives again”, he added. Reported by Danijela Bozic.

Sarajevo

A delegation of the European Parliament arrived in B&H, in order to meet the B&H Parliamentary Assembly. The Delegation leader, Doris Pack said that the priority of European politics in B&H is refugee return. She feels that B&H is on a good path towards European integration. The report was produced by Vedran Persic.

Sarajevo

International institutions estimate that they need much more money than they currently have for successful completion of the return process. “We think that entity authorities are not able to solve this complicated problem”, said Mirhunisa Zukic, the Chairman of the Association of refugees. Reported by Mirna Sadikovic.

World

After the EU Summit in Portugal, European leaders again emphasised their attitude that the Balkans are welcome in Europe. The EU supported the French initiative for organisation of a joint summit with countries of former Yugoslavia.

The main ICTY Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte visited the village of Brestovci in Kosovo. She met the Head of the UN mission, Bernard Koutchner. Belgrade authorities refused to issue a visa for Ms. Del Ponte’s visit to the FRY.

114 people died in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia.

The UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan met the “Hesbollah” leader in Beirut. OBN journalist Mladen Maric produced a piece on current world events.

Sarajevo

The Federal Ministry of Defence held a press conference today. The Federal Minister of Defence, Miroslav Prce talked about financing the Croatian part of the Federation Army, and about the training programme “Train and Equip”. Suspension of aid for the Croat part of the Army will continue until current problems are solved. Reported by Sevko Bajic.

Sarajevo

Students will not have to pay for their education at the University in the following year. “Students don’t have any means for payment of education”, said Abdulah Jabucar, the Adviser at the Federal Ministry of Education. The report was produced by Meliha Hasanbegovic.

Budapest

The Stability Pact granted DEM 1 million for independent media in Serbia. This was announced at the beginning of the Conference on Media in Budapest. A resolution at the level of journalists and experts for media will be adopted at the end of the Conference. The resolution will be an attempt at linking the media in the region, Sanjin Beciragic confirmed from Budapest.

Sport

Reports on international football and NBA league were presented.

Damir Kaletovic reported on a car accident which took place on the road M-5 between Sarajevo and Zenica today. One person died in the accident.