Headlines
- The High Representative announced a strategy for the efficient process of return in BiH
- Five thousand textile and leather industries workers announced going on strike with the protest gathering in Sarajevo
- BiH Parliament rejected the report of the BiH Council of Ministers
- Members of the BiH Government discussed the issue of corruption with the delegation of the World Bank
- A heated discussion in the BiH Federation Parliament about conditions for issuing of passports to the BiH naturalised citizens
- Yeltsin on the military operation in Chechenia
- Pensioners in the RS ask for the urgent enaction of the new law on pension-invalid insurance
Sarajevo
Having in mind that implementation of property and housing laws did not achieve the results which have been planned, the High Representative in BiH, Wolfgang Petritsch, made a decision about changes and annexes of the laws in both BiH entities. This was the reason for the High Representative’s address to the BiH citizens yesterday. The High Representative said he had made the decision because four years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, hundreds of thousands of refugees did not have access to their flats, houses, business premises or their land. The speech of the High Representative was presented in full.
This was followed by a report produced by OBN journalist, Vedran Persic, with the further explanation of the decisions made by the High Representative. The OHR Spokesperson, Alexandra Stiglmayer, said that the priority of the decisions was to speed up the process of return in both BiH entities. If the process of return were continued with the same dynamic as implemented to date, than it would last 20 years in the BiH Federation and 40 years in the RS. The citizens could not wait so long, the Spokeperson added. The UK Ambassador in BiH, Graham Hand, said that the International Community would not tolerate obstruction of return on any authority level any more.
Workers’ Protests
Five thousand textile, leather, shoe and rubber industry workers gathered at the Bosnia and Herzegovina Square in Sarajevo today. Their syndicate requested the BiH Federation Government to make programs for the protection of local production, decrease of electricity price and decrease of salary taxes. OBN reporter, Anes Alic, produced the report.
This was followed by a piece on the BiH Parliament which rejected the report and analysis of the BiH Council of Ministers about their work in the period between January and September this year, OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic, confirmed. The BiH Council of Ministers report was returned for further discussion.
A report on the meeting between the members of the BiH Council of Ministers and the delegation of the World Bank followed. The World Bank will participate actively in solving the issue of corruption in BiH, OBN reporter, Bakir Hadziomerovic, confirmed. The BiH Council of Ministers promised their full support in the process.
Today, the BiH Federation Parliament had a heated discussion about the conditions for issuing BiH passports to the naturalised citizens. From 1992 to 1996, central records had not been kept, OBN reporter, Amarildo Gutic, confirmed. There were no concrete answers as who who was responsible for the issuing of a passport to Mehrez Amdouni.
Armenia
A report on the incident which occurred in the Armenian Parliament. The Armenian Prime Minister and four other high officials were killed in the Armenian Parliament Building today. They were shot by unknown attackers. TV station “A 1” reported that other 30 individuals were injured. The report on this was produced by OBN journalist, Danijela Bozic.
Banja Luka
Medical doctors of the Clinic Center in Banja Luka were satisfied with the progress of recovery of the “Nezavisne novine” Editor-in-chief, Zeljko Kopanja. The action “We demand”, initiated by the Banja Luka press will be continued, OBN reporter from the town, Darko Savic, confirmed.
World
Today, Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, said that the aim of the Russian military operation in Chechenia was to stop terrorist actions and to destroy the headquarters of international terrorists in that Republic. At the same time, the international agencies reported on the strongest air strikes on Chechenia to date. This was followed by a report on the three day official visit of the Iranian President to France. This is the firs such visit since the Iran Islamic Revolution in 1979. This was followed by a report on the protests organised in Portugal because of the visit of the Chinese President. The report was produced by OBN journalist, Gordana Frimel.
This was followed by a report on current events in Kosovo. A group of Serbs blocked the road between Mitrovica and Raska. They expressed their protest due to the recent disappearance of two Serbs, OBN journalist, Gordana Frimel, confirmed. Approximately 5,000 citizens protested on the streets of Serbian towns last night. They asked for the withdrawal of current authorities.
Banja Luka
Pensioners in the RS ask for the urgent enaction of the new law on pension-invalid insurance, OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Valentina Knezevic, confirmed. Pensioners ask for the increase of pensions to be in accordance with the increase of salaries in the RS.
Tuzla
A report on the round table meeting held in Tuzla was “The Internet – the New Way of Communication”. The meeting was organised within the Show of Computer Technology, Telecommunications and Office Equipment 2001, currently held in Tuzla. The report was produced by OBN reporter from the town, Sanela Fazlic.
Sarajevo
A report on the International Theatre Festival “MESS 99” currently held in Sarajevo and the performance of the Macedonian theatre group was produced by OBN reporter, Mirna Sadikovic.
Sport
A report on the RS football matches was followed by reports on the European Championship in football and the BiH basketball issues.