Headlines
- There are no survivors in the Russian submarine “Kursk”
- Fires are breaking out in the whole of B&H
- 70% of crops in the RS were ruined, due to long draughts
- Pensioners organised the announced protests
- The US Ambassador visited Mostar
The Barents Sea
Norwegian divers managed to open the submarine “Kursk”. They announced that the whole submarine was under the water, and that there were no survivors. The Russian public condemned the President Putin and the Russian Government for slowness and hesitation to accept western help in rescuing the staff of the submarine. Reported by Zeljka Lekic.
Mostar
Fires are raging in the whole of B&H. The situation in Maglaj, Gracanica and Brcko is alarming. The state of emergency was proclaimed in Doboj. The lack of staff and difficult access to fire sites slowed down the fire-fighters. Reported by Igor Pavlovic and Sinisa Jokic.
Banja Luka
The situation in the RS is also very difficult. A disastrous draught ruined 70% of crops. The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik said that the RS Government would do everything they can. Experts announce a large increase of prices in the RS, Sanela Zivkovic reported.
Tuzla
Employees of the factory of transport vehicles protested in front of the Canton Government Office in Tuzla. Among other things, they demanded 10 monthly salaries, the pension insurance and that the former Director and the Board bear responsibility for loss of KM 12 million. A progress was made at the meeting with the Tuzla Canton Prime Minister and his associates. The Canton Government decided to support the programme for production increase at the factory. Adis Nisic produced the report.
Banja Luka
About 200 pensioners protested in Banja Luka, demanding regular pensions. Unless the Government fulfil their requests by 25th August, pensioners announce that they will block the main street and the Government’s building. The report was produced by Suzana Vukcevic.
Sarajevo
A week ago, the Government’s proposal for reduction of pensions was presented. Pensioners called the proposal a genocide against them. Authorities have not reacted yet, because the Government is on a vacation. If the decision is adopted, about 370 000 in the Federation will be in a very difficult situation, Sevko Bajic confirmed.
Mostar
The US Ambassador, Thomas Miller visited Mostar, and met the city authorities. Mr. Miller emphasised the importance of foundation of the city budget. He supported the work of the Head of the Mostar University, Marko Tadic. Mr. Miller will meet the Presidency member, Ante Jelavic tomorrow. Reported by Alisa Dzebo.
USA
The US Presidential candidate, George Bush Junior announced that he would reconsider the deployment of the US forces abroad. The political commentator, Dr. Dennis Johnson feels that the US foreign policy will not change drastically if Bush wins the elections, Vedran Persic reported.
Banja Luka
The RS officials met representatives of the IMF and the World Bank. “If the RS Parliament does not adopt a new package of measures by 15th September, the RS will lose a significant part of international donations”, said the Head of the IMF Mission in B&H, Bruno de Schaetzen. Reported by Sanja Srdic.
Banja Luka
Representatives of the International League of Humanists met local NGOs in Banja Luka. “The construction of a refugee camp in Kastel is another manipulation with people, victims of the war tragedy”, said the Bishop of Banja Luka, Franjo Komarica. After the session, participants demanded that the High Representative defines 2nd September as the deadline for return of all refugees to their pre-war homes. Svjetlana Celic produced the report.
Sarajevo
Citizens of the destroyed Airport Settlement C4 in Sarajevo have looked for resources for reconstruction of their homes for 4 years. Representatives of the authorities promised that roofs would be repaired soon. Reported by Adis Saranovic.
World
8 children died and 23 people were injured in a collision between a bus and a track in Austria.
2 people were killed in Belfast, in a clash between protestant paramilitary groups.
The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat met the US Envoy for Near East, Dennis Ross. Then he met the Egyptian President Mubarak in Alexandria. Zeljka Lekic produced the report.
Lopare
The new bridge “Bejli” was opened today in Lopare. Funds for construction of the bridge were provided by the RS Army and SFOR, Elma Nakicevic reported.
Neum
The traditional ethno Festival took place in Neum. Reported by Anita Zovko.
Sport
Reports on international tennis and football were presented.