OBN News Review, 26 August 2000 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

Continued fires and droughts caused large damages in B&H
4 people died in a fire in Greece
The former Serbian politician, Ivan Stambolic is still missing
Theme of TV INFO: refugee return

B&H

Fires are still taking place around B&H. There have been no official reactions from the Government yet. They have not replied to the offer of the Croatian President Mesic about signing of an international agreement on flights above B&H yet. The agreement would enable planes to locate fires. Reported by Svjetlana Celic.

Brcko

About 65% of crops were destroyed, due to long droughts. “As the situation is the same in the Federation as well, it is difficult to expect any significant help from the authorities”, said the Head of the Department for Agriculture in Brcko District, Ratko Stjepanovic. Slobodanka Radojkovic produced the report.

Mostar

Long droughts caused the lack of water for the local water supply system in Mostar. Citizens have been warned to use water economically, Anja Grujic reported from Mostar.

Banja Luka

Citizens in villages around Banja Luka are in a very difficult situation, due to the lack of water. The Fund for development and improvement of villages demanded that the Government proclaims the state of emergency. Desperate citizens of some villages kidnapped two cisterns with water. Reported by Suzana Vukcevic.

World

Fires are raging in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain and Corsica. At least four people died in a fire in Greece.

The US President, Bill Clinton arrived in Nigeria, in order to support their new democracy. He will visit Tanzania and Egypt next week.

The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat arrived in Egypt. He discussed the future status of Jerusalem with the President Mubarak.

Official investigation about causes of sinking of the Russian submarine “Kursk” started.

The Montenegrin Information Office prohibited the media to participate in the pre-election campaign. Zeljka Lekic produced the report.

Belgrade

The Former Chairman of the Serbian Presidency, Ivan Stambolic disappeared yesterday morning. His family claim that they saw a white van in front of their house, few days before the incident took place. Reported by Danica Ilic from Belgrade.

Tuzla

81 mosques were destroyed in the RS. According to representatives of the Islamic Community in Tuzla, the most difficult situation is in Zvornik. They feel that the OHR does not do much to help, and that their verbal support is insufficient. Muhamed Berbic produced the report.

Kozarusa

A large number of Bosniacs returned to the village of Kozarusa, near Prijedor. A new mosque was opened today in the village. Reported by Sanja Srdic.

Gorazde

21 Bosniac families returned to Kopaci, in the RS. According to the OHR, local police did a very professional job there. The Head of the police of Srpsko Gorazde, Velimir Gigovic sent a letter to the Association for return, denying the refugees’ right to return, until they get approval for using facilities from the Municipality. Hasan Gabela produced the report.

Sarajevo

KM 37 million were spent for the new road in the west part of Sarajevo. The rest of the roads in the town are in a terrible condition. “About KM 100 million are required for construction of new roads. We are not able to give so much money at the moment”, said the Canton Minister of Communications and Traffic, Bakir Zaciragic. Reported by Anes Alic.

Sarajevo

The concept of family medicine was adopted in 1976 in B&H. The concept is very efficient and simple, Sevko Bajic reported.

Sarajevo

The 6th Sarajevo Festival ended today. There were about 60 000 visitors, and 150 guests at the Festival. Reported by Gordana Frimel.

Sport

Reports on international football, athletics and Formula I were presented.

Sarajevo

The first post-war motorcycle race was organised in Sarajevo today. Several bikers from all parts of the world participated in the race. Mirna Sadikovic produced the report.