OBN News Review, 25 February 2000 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

RS government reduced contributions on interest rates and salaries in banks
Crisis with fuel in Federation B&H
Federation B&H will not sue the New York Times
Assembly of Gypsies had a meeting in Sarajevo today
NAC refused to send more troops to Kosovo
Shots of mass graveyards in Checenia have been broadcast

Brcko

Brcko is a demilitarized zone from today. Both parties complied to General Ronald Adams’ order regarding the demilitarisation until February 25th.

Banjaluka

RS government adopted a provision by which contribution for salaries would be 63%, and not 80%, as it was before.They also formed a new account for social contributions. Investments in equipment of public firms is forbidden, because the privatisation process is taking place. RS government also decided that annual interest rate cannot exceed 10%. They will request a meeting of national Assembly in March. The report was produced by OBN reporter Tatjana Lajsic.

Banjaluka

Prime Minister of RS announced the revision of RS public enterprises in order to prevent corruption. Some members of Administrative boards in enterprises already decided to resign. Report produced by Milorad Milojevic.

Sarajevo

Owners of private petrol stations decided to close them, because they had heavy losses. They demand reduction of taxes or higher prices of fuel. Federation Minister for Energetics says that it is impossible to reduce taxes at the moment, but that the prices of fuel should be higher. The report produced by OBN reporter Damir Kaletovic.

Sarajevo

International team of experts completed their investigation about corruption in B&H, after the article in the New York Times. Government of Federation B&H will not sue the magazine. The team investigated only the key claims from the New York Times. The report produced by Amarildo Gutic.

Sarajevo

Cantons might be a good solution for B&H, said Graham Hand, British Ambassador in B&H, in his interview for OBN. But the three nations do not agree with this, he emphasized, and therefore we should insist on implementation of the existing Dayton Peace Accords. OBN reporter Adis Saranovic made the interview.

Mostar

HDZ disagrees with the OSCE campaign for local elections. They are against the OSCE election slogan:” Vote for Change”. This, they say, questions the objectivity of OSCE. From Mostar, for TV INFO, reports Pejo Gasparevic.

Sarajevo

Committee for Human Rights from Helsinki initiated the forming of a coalition called “Elections 2000”. Tasks of the coalition are education of voters and motivation for voting, as well as the monitoring of elections. The report produced by Anes Alic.

World

NAC decided not to send more troops to Kosovo. About 3000 Serbs demonstrated in northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, demanding the right to stay there.

Human Rights Watch demands an independent investigation regarding the found mass graves in Checenia. Russian military sources claim that their troops are taking over the last rebels’ strongholds in the breakaway republic.

Pope Jean Paul II appeals for peace between Christians and Muslims, during the second day of his visit to Egipt.

Sarajevo

Union of Gypsies in B&H had a meeting today, demanding their rights. They claim that are often discriminated and not treated as the other citizens. The report was produced by OBN reporter Sevko Bajic.

Mostar

Between 28th March and 1st April, an International Fair “Mostar 2000”, organised by Chamber of Commerce in Mostar, will take place. More then 500 participants are expected to come. The report produced by Blazica Kristo.

Banjaluka

Members of British Council visited University in Banja Luka today, reports Nada Spasojevic. British library should be open in Banja Luka in due time.

Sarajevo

Gordana Frimel produced a piece about three poets from Montenegro who visited Sarajevo.

Sport

Reports on international skiing, basketball and football were presented.