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

Headlines

General Stanislav Galic and Zoran Vukovic said in front of the Hague Tribunal they did not feel guilty
Law on the border service has not been adopted yet – this was decided by the Representative House of the BiH Parliament
BiH Federation House of Peoples canceled the session because of the HDZ representatives boycott
The BiH Federation Prime Minister announced a restructure of the Government and the privatisation of “PTT” and “Energoinvest” companies
15,000 pensioners from the Mostar area announced protests and blockade of roads
World: Russian offensive in Chechenia continued as well as a drama with the hijacked Indian plane; storm in Europe took 130 human lives
New damage because of sudden melting of snow in Bosnia and Herzegovina – in the Kiseljak village Podastinje inhabitants had to be moved out from three houses – some inhabitants of Maglaj were moved out for the same reason

The Hague

Retired General Stanislav Galic, indicted for a siege of Sarajevo and Zoran Vukovic indicted for sexual molesting and torturing of Bosniak women in 1992 in Foca, appeared in front of the Hague Tribunal today. Both of them said they did not feel guilty. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Gordana Frimel.

Sarajevo

Representative House of the BiH Parliament did not adopt the law on the BiH border service at their session held today. Representatives from the RS were against the law. The law was not adopted despite a letter sent by the BiH Presidency that they agreed with the law and recommendation made by OHR. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic.

This was followed by a report on the thirty seventh session of the BiH Federation Parliament which was canceled because representatives of HDZ party did not show up. The HDZ representatives boycotted the session because of the dismissal of Pero Madzar, Chairman of the BiH Federation House of Peoples. Pero Madzar was dismissed by the High Representative together with 21 other BiH politicians. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Sevko Bajic.

A report on the press conference held today in Sarajevo by the BiH federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic. The Prime Minister announced a restructure of the Government, privatisation of “PTT” and “Energoinvest” companies and an increase of production of 14%. The report on a low employment rate in the BiH Federation was produced by OBN reporter, Sanjin Beciragic.

Vitez

Fifteen thousand pensioners from the Mostar area announced protests and blockade of roads if BiH authorities do not respond to more than a hundred pensioners’ letters by March 15th. Pensioners ask their economic status to be solved. Pensioners from Vitez said that pensioners from other parts of the BiH Federation and the RS would also participate in the protests. The report on the press conference held today in Vitez was produced by OBN reporter from the area, Olivera Drmac.

Banja Luka

A report on the continuation of protests by the Banja Luka “Incel” company. Although workers announced blockade of roads for today, that did not happen. Authorities of the RS provided funds for the salaries for September. However, not all workers would receive their late salaries. The report was produced by OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Biljana Arsic.

This was followed by a report on the RS customs service. This year, the RS customs service provided a budget of more than 150 million DEM. “Stop Smuggling” action was publicly promoted today with the opening of a shop where confiscated goods would be sold. Next year, the service should provide some 40% of the budget funds. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Darko Savic.

World

Russian offensive in Chechenia continued. Russian sources reported that Russian troops continued to move towards the center of Grozny. This was followed by a piece on the sixth day of a drama of 160 hostages in the hijacked Indian plane currently in Afghanistan. According to the last information, storms in Europe took 130 human lives. First estimations are that the storms caused some 5 billion dollars damage in Europe. The report on current events in the world was produced by OBN reporter, Zeljka Lekic.

Sarajevo

A report on the pre-election campaign for the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Croatia on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Representatives of the HDZ party held a press conference in Sarajevo today. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Amarildo Gutic.

Banja Luka

A piece on the press conference held by the Association of Serbs from Croatia held in Banja Luka today. The representatives stressed that voting of Serbs on the Croatian parliamentary elections would not be in favour of Serbs in Croatia and would not allow the return of Serbs to Croatia. The report was produced by OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Tatjana Lajsic.

Podastinje

Inhabitants from three houses in the Kiseljak village Podastinje had to be moved out because the ground started moving. This was caused by severe weather conditions, OBN reporter from the area, Branka Vrebac, confirmed.

Sarajevo

A piece on the problem with garbage disposal caused by snow and rain. For the last few days, normal activities regarding disposal have not been carried out. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Slobodan Maksimovic.

This was followed by a report on the gas supply in Sarajevo town. Because of the debt to the supplier, it is not sure whether citizens will have gas next year. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Anes Alic.

Sport

A report on international ski jumps was followed by reports on NBA and the UK football matches.