OBN News Review, 28 July 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

Sarajevo ready for the Summit, organisors confirmed
Just before the Stability Pact Summit, the new High Representative of the International Community in BiH, Wolfgang Petrisch, arrived at Sarajevo
BiH Council of Ministers discussed agreement on borders with Croatia
In Brussels, the donor conference for the reconstruction of Kosovo
The Prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal asked for the lifelong imprisonment for Tihomir Blaskic
Srednja Bosna Canton Assembly confirmed appointment of the Interior Minister and his Deputy

Sarajevo (Preparations for the Summit)

The last preparations for the two day Summit in Sarajevo have been finished. The traffic in the town would be reduced to the minimum possible during the two days of the Summit. According to the latest information received from the Organisation Board, 56 foreign delegations confirmed their presence in Sarajevo. Among the first who arrived was the new High Representative in BiH, Wolfgang Petritsch. The report was produced by OBN reporter and presenter, Danijela Bozic.

This was followed by a live report produced by OBN reporter, Sanjin Beciragic, from the improvised OBN studio in the Zetra hall. From that place, OBN will be receiving live reports during the two days of the Summit. The reporter interviewed Hajrudin Somun, the Spokesman of the BiH Foreign Ministry. Approximately 1,400 journalists from 200 media companies will cover the Summit.

A report on the technical preparations for the Summit. Applications from one thousand and three hundred accredited journalists have been received to date. More than 500 telephone lines have been installed in Zetra. One of the most important locations during the Summit will be Sarajevo airport. OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic, confirmed in his live report that the airport is ready to accept foreign delegations, participants of the Summit.

This was followed by an interview that the presenter of the TV INFO, Duska Jurisic, made with the Advisor of the EU Chairman, Alpo Rusi, who has been in Sarajevo for almost a month now. The Advisor was asked to say whether he was satisfied with the preparations for the Summit? The Advisor said that he was very satisfied with the preparations and impressed with the efforts that had been done up to now.

This was followed by a piece on who is providing funds for the Summit? The member of the Summit Organisation Board, Jadranko Prlic, said for OBN that the project in worth 3,3 million EUROs. The EU is providing one million and two hundred fifty thousand EUROs.

The President of the Organisation Board of the Stability Pact, Haris Silajdzic, was asked to comment current economic situation in BiH. The President of the Board said that he hoped the Summit would give signals for the changes in BiH. A report on this was produced by OBN reporter, Adis Saranovic.

During the Summit in Sarajevo, an agreement about borders between BiH and Croatia should be signed. The BiH Council of Ministers discussed the amendment to the agreement made by the Republika Srpska today. The final decision whether to accept the amendment or not will be made by the BiH Presidency.

Washington

The World Bank Director said that Serbia would be a key for the economic reforms on the Balkans. The USA left the initiative for the Stability Pact implementation to the European Union, OBN reporter, Amarildo Gutic, confirmed from Washington.

Sarajevo

A piece on the press conference held today in Sarajevo. The Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, Robert Barry, said for OBN that the role of the OSCE would be the most important in the fields of strengthening of democracy, implementation of human rights and providing of security. The report on this was produced by OBN reporter, Zeljka Lekic.

Brussels

The first donor conference for the reconstruction of Kosovo was held today in Brussels. Representatives from more that 100 countries and international organisations participated at the Conference.

The Hague

A piece on the trial of the ex commander of HVO, General Tihomir Blaskic. The Prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal asked for the lifelong imprisonment for Tihomir Blaskic.

Doljani

Six years ago, 33 members of HVO and 6 civilians were killed in Doljani. Today, the relatives and officials gathered to mark the day.

Srednja Bosna Canton (Travnik)

After a few months break, Srednja Bosna Canton Assembly confirmed appointment of the Interior Minister and his Deputy.

Doboj

A report on the second public auction in the RS that was held in Doboj today. Only two out of four companies met the conditions required for the privatisation. A report on this was produced by OBN reporter from Doboj, Svjetlana Celic – Ninkovic.

Sarajevo

A piece on the visit of the Hungarian Union representatives to the BiH Union. The main topic of their discussion was privatisation process in BiH.

Sport

A report on negotiations regarding the joint football league in BiH was followed by reports on the European Championship in swimming and international football matches.