Headlines
- Last night, NATO’s targets were RTV Serbia, industry area in Nis, chemical products factory in Lucani and regions of Loznica and Vranje
- German government estimates some 260,000 people in Kosovo move
- NATO officials announced navy campaign in order to stop oil supplying for Yugoslavia
- New strategy for solving regional crisis agreed at NATO summit in Washington
- Functioning of joint police forces in Zepce
- “Kokaprodukt” factory in Gracanica about to collapse
Yugoslavia
The Serbian television stopped transmission of its terrestrial and satellite programming during the day due to the recent NATO strikes. During the evening, broadcasting continued. NATO confirmed that they would continue to look at RTV Serbia as a legitimate target. NATO thinks that RTV Serbia is one of the key parts of Milosevic’s propaganda.
Washington
Heads of NATO members announced at the summit in Washington that the alliance agreed a new strategy, which should replace the one from the cold war. Instead of a collective defense, the new NATO strategy is imagined as a keeper of democratic values.
World – reactions
In an interview for BBC, Madeleine Albright and Robin Cook said that there was no exact date for sending ground troops to Kosovo and that Russians should be included into diplomatic efforts. The UN Secretary General also thinks that Russia should be included into the search for a peaceful solution. Special Russian envoy announced new visit to Belgrade.
Kosovo – refugees
The German government thinks that new mass exodus in Kosovo could occur. In the Kosovo neighboring countries, currently there are some 594,000 refugees. Most of them are in Albania – 362 thousand and in Macedonia – 133 thousand refugees.
Herzegovina – refugees in BiH
According to the UNHCR, some 35,400 refugees from the Federal Republic Yugoslavia are placed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the Hercegovina-Neretva Canton, most of the refugees are at their friends and relatives. Obviously, BiH cannot provide them adequate help.
Sarajevo
A report on the SDA’s reaction to an interview of the RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, made yesterday when he said that Alija Izetbegovic did not have the right to talk about events in the RS. After that a written statement was issued by the SDA, signed by its vice president for the RS, Sulejman Tihic. It was said that Alija Izetbegovic, as a member of the BiH Presidency, did have the right to act towards the RS as it was one of entities.
Zvornik
At the beginning of this year, the Bosniaks started to return to the Zvornik and Osmaci municipalities in Republika Srpska. Due to the high tensions in BiH since the beginning of NATO strikes against Yugoslavia, the return to some places has been postponed.
Kovacevo Polje (Prozor)
Thirty five Bosniak families have returned to Kovacevo Polje near Prozor. They were accommodated in Gornji Vakuf and Bugojno up to now. The Canton’s authorities are trying to get help from the international organizations.
Zepce
The multi ethnic police forces were inaugurated two weeks ago in Zepce. This was the third municipality in the Zenica-Doboj Canton where the Bosniak and Croat police officers were working together.
Gracanica
The “Kokaprodukt” factory in Gracanica, succeeded to start-up the chicken production with its own funds. This year, an increase of 25% was planned. Instead of that, “Kokaprodukt” is about to collapse due to the high taxes and disloyal competition.
RS – economy
During the first three months of this year, heavy decrease of prices in the RS livestock markets has occurred. The government introduced measures in order to stop further decrease.
Zenica
A center for legal help for women in Zenica, tries to train women in order to enable them to participate in the pre-election campaign.
Sarajevo
A book “State and Nation” by Franjo Kozul and Slavo Kukica recently was promoted in Mostar and Sarajevo. The book had provoked different reactions. Also, it was cause for a discussion at the regular meeting of independent intellectuals, “Circle 99”.
This was followed by a piece on BiH cinematography and problems it faces in the post-war period.
Sport
Reports from local and international football matches. This was followed by a report from a motorbikes’ race in Japan.