Headlines
- The first session of the B&H Council of Ministers took place
- The RS Defence Council appointed a new Chief-of-Staff of the RS Army Headquarters
- The US Government announced new investments in Mostar
- Five tenders of the company “Famos” were cancelled
Sarajevo
The first session of the B&H Council of Ministers took place today. “We defined our priorities in today’s session”, Mr. Spasoje Tusevljak, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers said. “We hope that the OHR will be satisfied with our work”, he added. Reported by Sanjin Beciragic.
Banja Luka
The RS Army Headquarters has been without a Chief-of-Staff since the arrest of the former Chief-of-Staff, Momir Talic. The RS Defence Council decided to appoint General Novica Simic as the new Chief-of-Staff. The report was produced by Tatjana Lajsic.
The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik said that the method of arresting Dusko Sikirica was unacceptable. The RS Government is preparing a law which would regulate the RS relationship with the Hague.
Mostar
The US Ambassador in B&H, Thomas Miller announced new American investments in Mostar. “It seems that this town will finally unify”, Mr. Miller added. “The business development programme started in 1996. It provided 454 loans in B&H”, said Mr. Edward Kadunc, the Head of USAID Mission in B&H. Ambassador Miller and Mr. Kadunc opened a thermo-electric plant in Buna. The project was sponsored by the USAID. Reported by Alisa Dzebo.
Banja Luka
The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, visited Banja Luka today. The RS Government received the second part of financial support from the US Government for refugee return. Mr. Petritsch expects fast results. “Economic reform is at the centre of our efforts here. Time is running out. The aid for B&H is constantly being reduced. That is why we have to find good solutions for citizens fast”, Mr. Petritsch said. The report was produced by Dragan Stanimirovic.
Banja Luka
The High Representative and the RS Prime Minister met the Muslim Religious Leader in Banja Luka, Edhem Camdzic. They discussed the construction of the mosque “Ferhadija” in Banja Luka. “I encourage RS authorities in Banja Luka and the RS authorities to act immediately on what was decided by the Human Rights Chamber”, Mr. Petritsch said. Reported by Biljana Arsic from Banja Luka.
Sarajevo
The B&H National Committee discussed problems in international trade. Foreign investors don’t want to invest in B&H, because of its complicated bureaucracy. Therefore, economic reforms are necessary. “The first step is to define a liberal foreign-trade-policy”, said Seadeta Ceric, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade. OBN reporter Vedran Persic produced the report.
Sarajevo
The Federal Privatisation Agency cancelled tenders for sale of five companies within the “Famos Holding”. “We will demand that the Federal Agency for Privatisation make a unified approach to privatisation of “Famos Holding””, Mr. Sevkija Okeric, the Director of the Canton Sarajevo Privatisation Agency, said. Reported by Amarildo Gutic.
The US State Department issued a press release, condemning recent activities of the Federation Government in intimidation of free media. They called international representatives and local authorities in B&H to protect the freedom of the press.
World
The French President, Jacques Chirac, addressing the German Parliament, suggested that Germany and France together take the lead role in the EU. He advocated development of a European identity.
The Malaysian Prime Minister accused rich countries of trying to create “banana republics” out of Islamic countries.
The largest opposition party in Zimbabwe announced that they would start a legal investigation of the election results. OBN reporter Adis Saranovic produced the piece on world events.
Northern Ireland
Marti Artisari and Ciril Ramafosa, international inspectors for the control of IRA weapons, confirmed that this organisation was ready for disarmament. The deadline for completion of the disarmament is June 2001. OBN journalist Mladen Maric produced the report.
Konjic
A new water supply system was opened in Buturovic Polje, near Konjic. The new system will provide water for 250 houses. USAID invested KM 850 000 in this project. Reported by Vanja Elezovic.
Sport
Reports on international football and tennis, as well as local football were presented.