Headlines
- Mitar Vasiljevic, arrested in Visegrad by SFOR on Tuesday, said in front of the Hague Tribunal today he was not guilty for killing of more than 100 Bosniak civilians
- A three day session of the BiH Supreme Court about constituency of BiH peoples began today
- The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, began a procedure for the dismissal of the RS Government Vice President, Tihomir Gligoric
- New anonymous threats to the Editor-in-chief of the “Nezavisne novine”, Zeljko Kopanja
- Railway workers in BiH announced strike for February 1st
- Topic of TV INFO: Who is pushing the “Natron Maglaj” company to the destruction?
The Hague
Mitar Vasiljevic, arrested in Visegrad by SFOR on Tuesday, pledged not guilty for the alleged killing of more than 100 Bosniak civilians in Visegrad. The charges raised against him include allegations for the war crimes committed over non-Serb population between 1992 and 1994 as a member of the local organisation “Beli orlovi” (White Eagles). The report for OBN from the Hague was produced by Vjera Bogati.
Sarajevo
A three day session of the BiH Supreme Court about constituency of BiH peoples began today. The Supreme Court will also discuss the entities’ constitutions which reduce constituency of the three peoples and issues connected to status of religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and entities in general. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Vedran Persic.
This was followed by a piece on the opinion of the BiH non-governmental organisations about the above the BiH peoples constituency all over BiH. The non-governmental organisations have initiated the discussion and they think that constituency of all three peoples in both BiH entities was necessary in order to start up political, cultural and economical development in BiH, OBN reporter, Anes Alic, confirmed.
BiH Election Law
An item on the meeting between the Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, Robert Barry, and the Head of the SDP Party in BiH, Zlatko Lagumdzija. They discussed recently proposed new election law which will be discussed next week by the Collegiate Body of the BiH Parliament, and the representatives of OSCE and OHR. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Slobodan Maksimovic.
Banja Luka
After separate meetings with the BiH Presidency Member, Zivko Radisic, the Prime Minister of the RS, Milorad Dodik, and the President of the National Assembly, Petar Djokic, the UK Ambassador in BiH, Graham Hand, said that there was no a political crisis in the RS and that the Prime minister Dodik was doing a good job. The new RS Government will be elected after the elections in October, the Ambassador added. Today, the RS Prime Minister began a procedure for the dismissal of the RS Government Vice President, Tihomir Gligoric. The Prime Minister explained that his division was made because of the Vice President conflict with the most of the ministers in the RS Government.
World
Two explosions occurred in the capital of Pakistan. At least four people were killed and more than 40 wounded. The Pakistan Government accused Indian intelligence service for the attacks. India denied the allegations. This was followed by a report on current situation in Chechenya and the finish of the UN General Secretary visit to Moscow. Reports on the International Forum on the Holocaust and the last speech of the US President, Bill Clinton, as a head of the state, were presented by OBN journalist, Zeljka Lekic.
Zagreb
Today, the Croatian Government announced that they would hand over all documents about “Bljesak” and “Oluja” operations to the Hague Tribunal which the previous Government refused to do. Last night it was announced that the Minister of Tourism from the ex Croatian Government, Ivan Herak, was arrested because of the misuse of this Ministry funds, OBN reporter from Zagreb, Gordana Simonovic, confirmed.
Belgrade
Today in Belgrade, a murder of Vojislav Seselj’s body guard was attempted. He was shot with six bullets. Currently, he is in a Belgrade hospital. Seselj’s Serb Radical Party did not issue an official announcement. However, there were some indications that this was not a political attempted assassination. The report on current situation in Belgrade for OBN was produced by Danijela Segan.
Banja Luka
After a car explosion on October 22nd 1999, when the Editor-in-chief and the owner of the Banja Luka “Nezavisne novine”, Zeljko Kopanja, lost both his legs, on January 25th, received an anonymous threat again. Representatives of the regional office of IPTF and talked with Kopanja today. The local police forces increased the security measures around the house of Zeljko Kopanja. The report was produced by OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Nedeljka Breberina.
“Natron – Maglaj” Company
An item on a very difficult situation in the “Natron – Maglaj” company and the pulling out of the French partner “Gascogne” from the negotiations was produced by OBN reporter, Amarildo Gutic. The French partner was afraid of a banking system which is not commercial, high price of wood and the lack of support from the state.
Banja Luka
The RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, has decided to dismiss the Managing Board of the RS Oil Industry, headed by the BiH Presidency Member and the Head of the RS Socialist Party, Zivko Radisic. he RS Prime Minister informed in writing the President of the RS National Assembly, Petar Djokic, about his decision. The RS Vice President, Ostoja Kremenovic, said that the Government was not informed about that and that the issue will be probably addressed at tomorrow’s session.
BiH Railway Workers
Railway workers in BiH announced strike for February 1 because of unpaid salaries and security, OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic, confirmed.
The Red Cross
A piece on the discussion on the restructuring of the BiH Red Cross in both entities led by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Communications was produced by OBN reporter, Sevko Bajic.
Sarajevo
An item on the training of single mothers to paint on silk was produced by OBN reporter, Gordana Frimel.
Sport
Reports on international tennis, NBA, international football and handball were presented.