Headlines
- The International Community is not satisfied with the privatisation process in B&H
- The Mostar Economic Fair was opened today.
- If the Federation Government does not adopt the Collective Contract, the B&H Union will call workers to strike
- The Contact Group is in Paris, discussing the issues of Kosovo and organisation of the general elections there
- Javier Solana is visiting Zagreb. He invited Croatia to integrate within Europe as soon as possible
Sarajevo
The IC representatives in Sarajevo are worried about slow and inefficient implementation of the reforms. The American Ambassador in B&H criticised the privatisation process, underlining the examples of the “Holiday Inn” Hotel and Elektroprivreda B&H. A large part of the “Holiday Inn” was sold for only $3 million, excluding the possibility for large investors to participate in the tender. They are also worried because there is no banking system in B&H yet. The report was produced by OBN reporter Sanjin Beciragic.
A financial conference of the Stability Pact starts tomorrow in Brussels. The member of the Bosnian delegation from the RS, Novak Kontic, says that B&H is supposed to receive about $1billion. The Federation of B&H fulfilled all the IMF requests, by adopting the package of Finance Laws. Reported by Darko Savic from Banja Luka.
The guest of TV INFO was the Head of the EU Mission in B&H, Hans Jorg Kretchmer. He talked about the forthcoming Financial Conference and the privatisation process in Sarajevo. In order to maintain the stability of this region, all countries should co-operate, and their representatives should say what they are prepared to do in terms of the economic reforms and co-operation in the region, said Ambassador Kretchmer. Otherwise, the Conference will not have a positive outcome.
Zagreb
The EU delegation was in Zagreb today, led by Javier Solana, the Co-ordinator for European co-operation. Solana described the Croatian Government programme for refugee return as very positive. The Croatian Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, said that they were aware that their access to the Agreement on Stabilisation depended on their political moves. Reported by Gordana Simonovic.
World
In a meeting in Paris, political managers from six countries, the Contact Group members, discussed the current situation in Kosovo and organisation of the Municipal Elections, that were planned to take place in October. The US Secretary General, Madelin Albright, said that these elections should help the autonomy of Kosovo.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, met with the members of his Government today. The EU, the UN Secretary General, Javier Solana and the American President, Bill Clinton appealed to Putin to find a political solution for the Cechenia conflict.
According to the Military Agency, AVN, Russian forces confronted about 1500 Cechenian rebels in Centoroy. A Russian convoy was attacked here, according to Russian sources.
12 people were lost in a snow avalanche in Austria, reported the Austrian Agency APA. Rescue efforts are underway. The piece on the world events was produced by OBN journalist Gordana Frimel.
Brcko
With the support of Saudi Arabia, about 1200 houses have been reconstructed in the Brcko District so far. The B&H President, Alija Izetbegovic and the delegation from Saudi Arabia, met the District officials. Izetbegovic asked the international supervisor, Robert Farrand, to help the process of refugee return. The report was produced by OBN journalist Vedran Persic.
Mostar
The 7th International Economic Fair was opened in Mostar today. More than 300 exhibitors will participate, from 15 European countries and Australia. Vice-president of the Federation Government opened the Fair, which will be open until 1st of April. Reported by Denis Vila.
According to the BH Press Agency, after 1st May, the Croatian Institution for Retirement Insurance will stop paying for retirements to users from B&H.
Sarajevo
The B&H Union assembled today in Sarajevo. They request the Bosnian Government to define the text of the General Collective Contract until 6th April. Otherwise, the Union will call the workers to start a general strike. The report was produced by Mirna Sadikovic.
Kresevo
Kresevo has been faced with the problem of unplanned felling of trees. According to the Municipal officials, public enterprise “B&H Forests” and DD “Bitovinja” illegally fell trees.
The report was produced by OBN reporter Marina Bogdanic.
The Hague
A Conference on the strategies in the fight against tuberculosis and AIDS recently took place in the Hague. Participants from more than 70 countries emphasized that these diseases are not the problem of only one country, and that they do not recognise any borders. The whole world should make a strategy for fighting against these diseases.
Sport
The reports on the B&H and Italian football and the NBA league were produced.