OBN News Review, 23 May 2000
Headlines
- A Conference of the Peace Implementation Council started in Brussels
- The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch decided to replace the Chairman of the Federation Privatisation Agency Board, Stijepo Andric
- The SDA demands resignation of the Federation President, Ejup Ganic
- The new candidate for the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Spasoje Tusevljak, was in Belgrade at the time of his appointment
Brussels
A Conference of the Peace Implementation Council started today in Brussels. More than 40 delegations participated at the Conference. They concluded that the International Community had accomplished much more in B&H than the local authorities. All international officials feel that economic reforms should be intensified. The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch said that he will do all he can in order to prevent obstruction of the Dayton Peace Agreement implementation. Reported by Duska Jurisic from Brussels.
Mr Petritsch said that politicians in B&H should serve people and not vice versa. The EU Commissioner Christopher Patten said that a significant process had been made, but there is a lot more work to do. There is no functioning of joint institutions in B&H, he added. The EU Commissioner for Security and Foreign Politics, Xavier Solana, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Karl Bildt and representatives of member countries also addressed the Conference. The report was produced by Zeljka Lekic.
Sarajevo
The new candidate for the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Spasoje Tusevljak was in Belgrade at the time of his appointment. He owns the company “Conseco” in Belgrade. OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic, unsuccessfully tried to contact Mr Tusevljak today.
Sarajevo
The Association of Independent Truckers of Sarajevo Canton organised protests today. They drove around Sarajevo, in order to make the public pay attention to their difficult situation, unfair competition and high tax duties. The Association Board decided to block all roads around Sarajevo, unless the Canton Government balance the duties of independent businessmen. OBN journalist Sanjin Beciragic produced the report.
Sarajevo
At todays session of the Federal Parliament, the SDA demanded that the Federation President, Ejup Ganic should resign. He remains determined not to do it. The SDP’s initiative on voting of non-confidence in the Federal Government will be discussed tomorrow, and the Federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic will attend the session. The report was produced by Amarildo Gutic.
Mostar
The new Deputy Mayor of Mostar, Neven Tomic held a press conference today. He said that the HDZ became “rigid” in the last few years. As for the new appointments within the HDZ, Tomic said that they are part of some changes, because young and competent people should appear on the political scene. Tomic said that he believes in implementation of all signed agreements, and that all problems with refugee return would be resolved.
The Hague
Drazen Erdemovic, who was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 1998 has been released, and he appeared as a witness before the ICTY, in the trial of General Radislav Krstic. The ICTY representatives said that Erdemovic was released from prison because there were many mitigating circumstances in his case, OBN reporter, Zeljka Lekic confirmed.
World
The Special Commission in Germany gave their suggestions for modernisation and reduction of German troops. The German Defence Minister, Rudolph Scharping, said that the number of German soldiers will be reduced in the next five years.
Hundreds of refugees are on the Israeli border, looking for a refuge before the guerrillas who are taking over territories in south Lebanon.
Fights between Ethiopia and Eritrea for control over a town in west Eritrea started. The Ethiopian Prime Minister refused to stop their offensive against Eritrea.
The leader of the military coup in Fiji released three hostages, but the Prime Minister of Fiji is still captive. The UN sent their representative to Fiji in order to try and find a solution for the crisis.
OBN journalist Gordana Frimel produced the piece on current events in the world.
Lukavac
The funeral of two children who died in a mine explosion two days ago took place today. Their father was also killed during the war.
Sarajevo
5 children died in mine explosions in B&H during the last month. The MAC representatives say that they don’t have enough resources for the completion of the de-mining process. The family Bajkusa live a few meters from a mine field. The MAC say that the problem of this family will be solved, it they find a potential donor. Reported by Slobodan Maksimovic.
Sarajevo
Sevko Bajic produced a piece on 4-year-old boy, Denis Hajdarevic who has leukaemia. The boy’s family asked citizens to help them in order to save their son’s life.
Travnik
The UMCOR co-ordinator for B&H delivered the project “Dutch 16” to the Canton authorities in Travnik, which includes reconstruction of houses and infrastructure in three municipalities: Gornji Vakuf, Bugojno and Jajce.
Sport
Reports on the International Chess Tournament “Bosna 2000”, international football and NBA league were presented.