Headlines
- During the day, NATO planes targeted Novi Sad, Pristina, Paracin, Podgorica
- NATO confirmed that a residential quarter in Surdulica was hit accidentally
- Yugoslav Government Vice President, Vuk Draskovic, dismissed
- Yugoslav anti aircrafts artillery returned fire from the Bar seaport
- Five refugees killed when they come into a mine field on the border between Macedonia and Yugoslavia
- Representative House of the BiH Federation Parliament adopted draft for the social security law
- USAID completes projects on reconstruction of infrastructure
Yugoslavia
At 1.30 p.m. today, NATO was hitting the oil refinery in Novi Sad again. The Pristina area was also targeted and TANJUG reported that there were difficulties in supplying electricity. NATO confirmed that during last night attacks, a residential quarter in Surdulica was hit accidentally. International reporters say that at least 16 civilians were killed.
NATO planes were active in Montenegro. The Yugoslav anti aircrafts artillery shot at NATO planes from the Bar seaport.
The Yugoslav Government Vice President, Vuk Draskovic, is dismissed. The official sources in Belgrade announced that he was endangering the government. In one of his statements, Draskovic said that he was not against international troops entering Kosovo, if the UN would appoint them. Also, he criticized current authorities at the press conference held yesterday in Belgrade.
The US State Secretary, Madeleine Albright, addressed the Serbian people last night again. She said that NATO would stop bombing as soon as the Yugoslav authorities comply with five conditions made by the international community.
During the day, diplomats of the world held a number of meetings. The main issue was the current situation in Yugoslavia.
In Pristina, the President of Serbia, Milan Milutinovic, met with the Kosovo Albanians’ leader, Ibrahim Rugova. In their joint statement, they said that the negotiations on Kosovo should be conveyed through direct contacts.
Kosovo – refugees
Five refugees from Kosovo were killed when they entered a mine field on the border between Macedonia and Yugoslavia while trying to illegally enter Macedonia.
UNHCR is warning about a critical situation in refugees’ camps which are overcrowded. 3,500 refugees spent the night in the open at the Yugoslav border crossing with Macedonia, Blace. Killings and torture in Kosovo continue.
This was followed by an analysis of the NATO strikes up to now. NATO has been active in Yugoslavia for 36 days and the credibility of the Alliance is at stake.
Banja Luka
Members of the BiH Presidency addressed the European Parliament yesterday and all three members had the same view regarding membership in the European Council. The Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Zivko Radisic, held a press conference in Banja Luka, upon his arrival.
The High Representative in BiH, Carlos Westendorp, returned from Strasbourg where he also attended the EC session. He visited Banja Luka where he met with the RS Vice President, Mirko Sarovic.
Doboj
A meeting of the entities’ joint military commission was held today in Doboj. The OBN’s reporter said that one of the issues was to continue with mine-clearing in this area.
Banja Luka
The second special session of the RS National Assembly finished last night in Banja Luka. The conclusion of the session was that a president of the RS should be appointed as soon as possible in order to start up functioning of the RS institutions.
Sarajevo
The Representative House of the BiH Federation Parliament adopted a draft for the social security law on civil war victims and families with children.
The BiH Federation President, Ivo Andric Luzanski, and the Special Envoy of the UN General Secretary, Elizabeth Rehn, met today in Sarajevo and discussed security in the Federation, establishing joint police forces and discussed the results of the investigation of the assassination of the BiH Federation Interior Deputy Minister, Jozo Leutar.
Banja Luka
Robert Farand and Milorad Dodik met today in Banja Luka in order to discuss problems of refugees’ return to Brcko.
Visoko
A piece on a meeting between representatives of the Kiseljak, Fojnica, Visoko, Vares and Kakanj municipalities in Visoko where they discussed how to encourage return to the areas.
Bijelo Polje
A piece on return of some refugees in the Mostar region whose houses were reconstructed.
Kiseljak
In Kiseljak, works on the reconstruction of the municipality infrastructure finished today. The USAID invested 500,000 KM. The USA Ambassador in BiH was present at the ceremony.
Serici (Jajce)
A piece on problems of the Serici village near Jajce. People return to the village but they need help.
Mostar
A meeting of the representatives of the World Federation of Veterans visited the HVO association of veterans in Mostar. They also met with the BiH Federation Prime Minister.
Sport
Reports from the local basketball matches were followed by the reports on tennis and football matches.