OBN News Review, 24 October 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

All preparations for tomorrow’s protest of workers are finished
OBN crew talked to the Director of the “SAB” Bank
Russian offensive in Chechenia continued
Presidential elections held in Argentina and Tunis
RS journalists determined deadline for the authorities to announce results of the investigation of assassination on Zeljko Kopanja by tomorrow
“BiH Children’s Parliament” held in Tuzla – event or manipulation?

Sarajevo

All preparations for tomorrow’s protest gathering of workers at noon, on the Bosnia and Herzegovina Square in Sarajevo, were finished. The BiH Syndicate called unsatisfied workers, pensioners and unemployed citizens to join them. The President of the Syndicate, Sulejman Hrle, emphasised that this protest was only an introduction to the changes which had to happen. The Syndicate expects more than 50,000 workers from BiH Federation towns to come to the capital, OBN reporter, Anes Alic, confirmed.

This was followed by a report on the SAB Bank which owes more than DEM 24 million to its creditors. The Board of Creditors ask for the investigation. They announced that the main person responsible for bankruptcy of the bank was the Director, Zeljko Raguz. Criminal charges were raised against Zeljko Raguz. The police have been searching for him because he has left Bosnia and Herzegovina. OBN crew and journalist, Amarildo Gutic, found Zeljko Raguz and talked to him in Croatia. Zeljko Raguz said he would come to trial in Sarajevo if authorities guaranteed his safety. He added that he had documentation which could prove his innocence.

World

Severe fights continued in Chechenia regardless to appeals from all over the world. This was followed by a report on problems in Indonesia and work that the new leadership of the country had to do. The leader of the resistance movement in East Timor returned to the capital. Thousands of people welcomed him. The main topic of conversation between the French and Chinese presidents was respecting of human rights in China. This was followed by reports on current events in Northern Ireland, Middle East and analysis of presidential elections in Argentina and Tunis. Exactly fifty four years ago, the UN charter on human rights had been signed. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Mladen Maric.

Yugoslavia and Kosovo

This was followed by a report on current events in Yugoslavia. According to the research of the London daily “Observer”, Yugoslavia is tenth on the list of those countries where human rights have been most severely breached.

In the meantime, opposition protests against current authorities have continued although the number of protesters is much less. In Kosovo, KFOR arrested two Serbs indicted for war crimes on Friday. The Serb National Council held its session in Orahovac, in the Gracanica Monastery, in order to elect its president. This was followed by a report on Montenegro and possibilities for a change of relations within the Yugoslav Federation between Montenegro and Serbia.

Banja Luka

The Executive Board of the RS Journalists Association asked from the RS authorities to announce results of the investigation of attempted assassination on the “Nezavisne novine” daily Director, Zeljko Kopanja, by October 25th. The health state of Zeljko Kopanja improved today. The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, and his colleagues from the “Nezavisne novine” visited him, OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Dragan Stanimirovic, confirmed.

Sarajevo

This was followed by a report on the regular meeting of independent intellectuals “Circle 99” held today in Sarajevo. The Association condemned the attack on Zeljko Kopanja. They said that this was not only an attack on his life but on freedom of media as well. The main topic of today’s gathering was “Democratisation, Modernisation and Secularism, from the Ottoman Period to Turkish Republic”. The guest was the representative of the Anatolia Organisation for Development, Metin Ataman. The report was produced OBN reporter, Adis Saranovic.

Tuzla

A report on the failed organisation of the “BiH Children’s Parliament” which had been held in Tuzla during the last three days. Although it was planned that 250 children participate in the event, approximately 175 of them did not show up because their teachers were not informed in time. Also, there were problems with accommodation as well. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Mirna Pehar.

Sarajevo

A report on the ninth day of the International Theatre Festival “MESS 99” in Sarajevo was produced by OBN reporter, Gordana Frimel.

Sport

Reports on the local football matches were presented.