OBN News Review, 29 April 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

During the thirty six night of NATO strikes, areas of Belgrade and Podgorica were targeted
Russian envoy for Yugoslavia, came to Europe with concrete suggestions for solving the Kosovo crisis
UN Secretary General in Moscow
In Sarajevo, session of the House of Peoples of the BiH Federation Parliament
Efforts of the OHR for common driving license introduction
The World Bank initiated help for the countries suffering consequences due to the NATO strikes
In Brod, unrefined oil in RS again

Yugoslavia

During the 36 night of strikes against the Federal Republic Yugoslavia, NATO intensified strikes on Belgrade and Podgorica. These were the strongest attacks on Podgorica since the beginning of the air campaign. Main targets were airports, oil refineries, transmitters and bridges.

The Czech President, Vaclav Havel, gave an interview for the French magazine Le Monde, on the NATO strikes against Yugoslavia.

Special Russian Envoy for Yugoslavia, Victor Chernomyrdin, visited Bonn and Rome today and a visit to Belgrade is announced for tomorrow. He said to have concrete proposals for solving of the Kosovo crisis. His European tour is devoted mainly to the discussion of modes for the international presence in Kosovo.

The Representative House of the US Congress rejected a proposal for announcing war to the Federal Republic Yugoslavia.

UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, visits Moscow in order to find political solution for Yugoslavia.

Kosovo – refugees

France announced sending 302 marines to Albania who would become a part of a contingent in Albania providing logistics and humanitarian services. The hardest refugee situation is in Macedonia. Refugees are in the open. New 4,000 people came to the Blace border crossing yesterday.

London

A piece on a murder of popular BBC’s presenter, Jill Dando. She was murdered on Monday and police received an anonymous call that the murder was committed by a Serb activist. Police is investigating alleged connection of the murder with the fact that Jill Dando launched a humanitarian action to help the Kosovo refugees.

Sarajevo

Today, the Republic Croatia canceled taxes for the BiH goods that were introduced last week. This decision is valid until May 15th.

The High Representative in BiH, Carlos Westendorp, dismissed the Tuzla Canton Interior Minister, Ferid Hodzic, due to his disrespect of duties and ignoring of law.

Sarajevo

The Principal Deputy High Representative, Jacques Klein, met with all interior ministers and their deputies of the both BiH entities. They were discussing technical details regarding the introduction of the common driving licenses, designed by the OHR.

Six ex members of the RS Special Police Forces are released from the charges for murdering head of the police station “Srpsko Sarajevo”, Srdjan Karanovic, last year. This was only one of the information announced today at the press conference of the international organizations.

The OHR welcomes yesterday’s decision of the House of Representatives of the BiH Federation Parliament on accepting the OHR’s advice to approve draft law on Federal Television. The representatives of the BiH Federation House of Peoples asked this issue to be included in their agenda as well. However, it was decided to proceed with already agreed agenda.

Washington

The BiH delegation had a successful meeting with the representatives of the World Bank this week in Washington where negotiations on two new credits were finalized. BiH Ambassador in the USA, Sven Alkalaj, talks for OBN’s TV INFO.

Banja Luka

A piece on restarting of production in the oil refinery in Brod after a short blockade. The blockade was caused by supplies’ cutting although it was not clear why.

Sarajevo

“Energoinvest” factory received sixth certificate ISO 9001 which will open the road for the BiH factories to the world market.

Bijeljina, Banja Luka

Reports from Bijeljina and Banja Luka about refugees coming from the Federal Republic Yugoslavia. Some 15,000 of them are currently placed in RS.

Tuzla

A department for the children’s rights was open today in Tuzla as a part of the ombdusmen’s activities in the BiH Federation.

Zenica

A report on establishing Medical Chamber in the Zenica-Doboj Canton. This is the third medical chamber in the BiH Federation.

Sport

Reports from the local basketball matches were an incident occurred. This was followed by international football matches’ results.