Headlines
- New victims in Kosovo; the Serbs continue to leave while Kosovo Albanians return
- Javier Solana announced that KFOR would use force, if necessary, to disarm the KLA
- Zivko Radisic explains his reason to withdraw charges pressed by the BiH against Federal Republic Yugoslavia
- International Conference in New York about the Millennium Bug – we have to prepare for January 1st 2000
Kosovo
During the last two days, around twenty people have been killed, including two British soldiers. The exodus of Serbs has continued while the Kosovo Albanians return to their homes from Macedonia and Albania. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Kosovo announced that 200,000 Kosovo Albanians have returned to Kosovo to date since the NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia have stopped. During the same period, 70,000 Serbs have fled Kosovo.
This was followed by a report on reactions from the world about Kosovo. NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, said that KFOR would use force, if necessary, to disarm the Kosovo Liberation Army.
Banja Luka
At the press conference held today in Banja Luka, the BiH Presidency member, Zivko Radisic, explained his reason to withdraw the charges pressed by the BiH against Federal Republic Yugoslavia at the Hague Tribunal. He said that the charges were against the interest of the RS and the whole of the BiH.
There were no comments from the Hague – the rules of the Tribunal’s procedures are very strict, reporter from Brussels, Mirko Klarin, confirms for OBN.
Sarajevo
Director of the Institute for Investigation of Crimes against Humanity, Smail Cekic, said at the press conference today in Sarajevo that Radisic’s initiative is against constitution and law. The OHR Spokesperson, Alexandra Stiglmayer, said that Radisic was not allowed to do that because all members of the Presidency have to make decisions together. However, the OHR would not intervene for they consider the BiH Presidency capable of dealing with the issue.
Zavidovici
A report on 18 Croat police officers starting work. Currently, 23 police officers work in the Zavidovici police station. There are still vacancies for Serb officers to reinforce this multiethnic police force in the municipality. The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, Elizabeth Rehn, attended the inauguration in Zavidovici today.
Sarajevo
The Croatian Forum will be held on July 7th in Sarajevo. The President of the Organization Board is Ante Jelavic, Chairman of the BiH Presidency. The Forum will discuss the constitutional and legal status of Croats in BiH.
This was followed by reports on discussions on the Annex 7 implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. One million and two hundred and fifty thousand people from all parts of BiH still have not returned to their homes. The Advisor of the BiH Presidency Chairman, Damir Ljubic, said that they were not satisfied with the return of Croats and Bosniaks to the RS. The same issue about the process of return was discussed at the meeting between the Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister, Beriz Belkic, and the OHR representative.
Ortijes
OBN crew from Mostar produced a report on the Serb returnees in Ortijes near Mostar. Fifty Serb families returned to their pre-war homes a year ago. The returnees currently lack electricity.
New York
A report on the two day conference held in New York about the Millennium Bug reported Damir Kaletovic from OBN.
Tuzla
The first BiH show of tourism, hotels and food “BIHTUR” opened in Tuzla today. The Show will be open until June 26th.
Sport
A report from the European Championship in basketball was followed by a report from the tennis tournament Wimbledon.