OBN News Review, 24 May 1999

Headlines

• NATO strikes continued – water and electricity supplies in Belgrade and Novi Sad cut off
• More than 40% of donor funds pledged in Brussels will go to the RS
• Ombudsmen Office in the BiH Federation is dissatisfied with its co-operation with authorities
• Disrespect of laws – the main obstacle for return to Sarajevo
• Everyday life of returnees in Zitomislici
• 54th anniversary of the People & University Library in Sarajevo

Yugoslavia

Last night, NATO bombed an electricity power plant 70 kilometres South East from Belgrade. While Serbia is in the dark, without water, Slobodan Milosevic, arrests anti-war protesters.

Kosovo

The number of the Kosovo refugees increases every day. The German Defence Minister came to Macedonia and the World Bank has approved a loan of $45 million to Albania in order to alleviate the refugee crisis. Last night, some 4,000 Kosovo refugees came to the transit refugee centre Blace in Macedonia. UNHCR said that this latest refugee wave had increased the total number of refugees that fled Kosovo within the last 24 hours to 10,000. This was confirmed by the OBN reporter from Skopje, Safet Bisevac.

According to Newsweek, the USA President has approved a secret plan for neutralising the Yugoslav President’s power. The Newsweek reported that the plan includes activities of computer experts who would access the Yugoslav President bank accounts abroad.

The Special Russian Envoy for the Balkans, Victor Chernomyrdin, said that stopping of negotiations on political solution for the Kosovo crisis would be a great catastrophe.

Banja Luka

The Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Zivko Radisic, met today with the Ambassador of the Republic Slovenia, Drag Mirosic. The Chairmain stressed that Slovenia has pledged three million dollars at the recent Donors Conference.

The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, held a press conference in Banja Luka today. The Prime Minister talked about the donor conference. OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Valentina Knezevic, sent her report for TV Info.

Brcko

In Brcko, the French Ambassador in BiH, Yves Gaudeul, met with the Brcko Mayor and his deputies today. They were discussing the current situation after the arbitrary decision on Brcko and the Donors Conference in Brussels.

Zenica-Doboj Canton

The BiH Federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic, visited towns of Zenica, Zavidovici and Vozuca in the Zenica-Doboj Canton today. The Prime Minister talked about measures that would support production and privatization.

Sarajevo

Respecting human rights is one of the main preconditions for giving the donor money to BiH. According to the ombudsmen in the BiH Federation, the situation in this respect in 1998 was not satisfactory. According to them, the main problems are the lack of political willingness and obstructions coming from all levels of authorities.

A report from the meeting between the Mayor of the Sarajevo’s Center Municipality, Igor Gaon, and refugees from Banja Luka where it was announced that an association of BiH towns and municipalities of the BiH Federation and RS would be formed. The main task of the Association will be to improve the process of return. OBN reporter, Amarildo Gutic, reports on the return dynamic in the Sarajevo Canton.

The International Mediator for the BiH Federation and RS, Christian Schwarz Schilling, came today to BiH. He said for OBN that this is an important period for BiH when many key changes are happening.

Zitomislici

A report on 20 Serbs, returnees to Zitomislice, near Mostar and problems they are faced with due to destroyed houses. SFOR removed mines from the area and reconstructed the road.

Radonjici

The Head of the UNHCR‘s Office in Travnik, Olivier Guigna Baudet, visited returnees in the Radonjici village in the Travnik Municipality.

Sekovici

A piece from TV SFOR on preparing for de-mining in the Sekovici Municipality.

Sarajevo

A report on handing over of the UN donation to the Sarajevo Clinic which will enable performing complex operations in Sarajevo.

This was followed by a piece on celebration of the 54th anniversary of the People & University Library in Sarajevo.

Zenica

A report on breaches of journalists’ rights came from Zenica. Journalists claim that the Municipality Mayor, Ferid Alic, suppresses freedom of media.

Sport

A report on the seventh round of the International Chess Tournament results currently going on in Sarajevo was followed by results from tennis.