OBN News Review, 4 July 2000

Headlines

• The decision of the Constitutional Court on the three constitutional nations was officially announced
• Newly appointed members of the Council of Ministers took a solemn oath
• The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the SFOR Commander, General Adams visited Srebrenica
• The USA celebrated Independence Day

Sarajevo

“The decision of the Constitutional Court is final and obligatory”, said the Chairman of the Court, Kasim Begic. “The decision does not represent a threat to the Dayton Peace Agreement”, he added. Reported by Sanjin Beciragic.

The American Embassy in B&H welcomed the Court’s decision.

Sarajevo

“We have not seen the decision yet”, the Head of the OSCE Mission, Robert Berry said. “We have to see it in writing before we are able to comment on how it will affect the Election Law”, he added.

Sarajevo

The Constitutional Court’s decision caused sharp discussions in the B&H Parliament. Members of the Council of Ministers took a solemn oath today, and their mandates officially started, Damir Kaletovic confirmed.

Srebrenica

The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the SFOR and IPTF Commanders visited Srebrenica today. They met representatives of local, multi-ethnic authorities and the Association of Returnees. “We will do everything we can to enable citizens to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy in Potocari”; Mr. Petritsch said. It was announced that about 750 participants would arrive in Potocari on 11th July. A session of the Srebrenica Municipal Council will take place on Friday. The report was produced by Amarildo Gutic.

“We expect that the gathering in Potocari will take place without any incidents”, said the RS Minister of Internal Affairs, Sredoje Novic.

Sarajevo

The Federal Parliament passed a Law on the Federation Intelligence Service. The two existing ones will unify into one service. “This is a temporary solution. The final aim is to form one Intelligence Service on State level”, said Mehmed Zilic, the Federation Minister of Internal Affairs. The Federal Parliament also adopted two finance laws. The report was produced by Adis Saranovic.

The USA celebrated Independence Day. The Chairman of the B&H Presidency, Alija Izetbegovic congratulated the US President, Bill Clinton.

Sarajevo

The US Embassy also celebrated the Independence Day in Sarajevo. “Patriotism is not a sin. The 4th July is much more than a picnic for us, Americans”, the US Ambassador, Thomas Miller said. Reported by Vedran Persic.

Tuzla

Damir Slijepcevic reported on celebration of Independence Day by American SFOR soldiers in Tuzla.

The USA

OBN journalist Mladen Maric produced a piece on US history since the adoption of the Declaration on Independence in 1776.

World

The Russian Army proclaimed a curfew in Cechenia, after bomb attacks when 44 Russian soldiers died.

The French President, Jacques Chirac addressed delegates of the European Parliament. He said that he would focus on the reception of new members of the EU.

“Any crisis in Central Asia might jeopardise security of the whole Euro-Atlantic region”, the NATO Secretary General, George Robertson said. He started his tour of Middle Asia.

The Israeli Foreign minister said that the peace process for the Near East would fail if Palestinians proclaimed independence without Israeli approval.

The UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan opened the world Conference on the future of world cities in Berlin. The piece on world events was produced by Zeljka Lekic.

Tjentiste

The local police arrested individuals whom they suspect of an attack on two Bosniac returnees in Tjentiste, Sanjin Beciragic confirmed.

Prozor

Mesud Hero, the Co-ordinator for Return in Prozor advised Bosniac refugees to burn their temporary houses in case of eviction. The UNHCR warned the Canton Minister for Refugees, Musair Penava of the improper behaviour of Mr. Hero. “After consultations with the Canton Prime Minister, we will decide on measures that we will undertake”, Mr. Penava said. Alisa Debo produced the report.

Sarajevo

The Head of the OSCE Mission, Robert Berry visited Vogosca Municipality today. He discussed the issue of return with local authorities. The report was produced by Mirna Sadikovic.

Slatina

The first session of newly appointed representatives of the RS authorities was organised in Slatina, near Banja Luka. There are about 2300 employees in local authorities in the RS. Minister Ostoja Kremenovic said that the number should be reduced. Reported by Sanela Vilasevic.

Mostar

Ines Kajic reported on the International Actors’ Festival in Nisic, in Montenegro. The National Theatre from Mostar participated at the Festival. Maja Dzelilovic won an award as the best young actress.

Sport

Reports on international tennis and football were presented.