08.05.2000

OBN News Review, 8 May 2000

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Headlines

  • The B&H edition of the “White Book” was promoted in Sarajevo
  • The USA priority for B&H is the development of coherent economics
  • The crisis in the Council of Ministers’ work continues
  • International symposium on the Hague Tribunal started in Opatija
  • The former KLO Commander was killed today

Sarajevo

The “White Book”, the basic document for countries that want to join European integration was promoted in Sarajevo today. “The EU and international community participate in creating B&H as a self-sustainable country”, said Hans J. Kretschmer, the EU Ambassador for B&H. If B&H fulfilled the 18 EU conditions, negotiations on B&H joining the EU might start at the end of the year. Reported by Sanjin Beciragic.

The Council for the Dayton Peace Agreement implementation had a meeting last week in Lisbon. The conclusion was that the general elections in B&H should take place in the autumn this year. “All citizens should get a chance to elect the officials they want”, said Alexandra Stiglmayer, the OHR Senior Spokesperson. The OSCE Council will meet in Vienna on Thursday, and reach a final decision on the B&H general elections. Reported by Vedran Persic.

Banja Luka

The OSCE Deputy Chairman, Thomas Boshbown and 19 ambassadors from the OSCE countries met the RS officials today. The Council for the Dayton Peace Agreement implementation suggested that the best date for the B&H general elections would be the 11th November, said Mr Boshbown. “Elections for the Presidency members should also take place, in order to balance the mandate duration”, said Milorad Dodik, the RS Prime Minister. Reported by Tatjana Lajsic from Banja Luka.

Sarajevo

The USA priority for B&H is development of coherent economics, said Robert Bicroft, the Deputy Special Envoy of the USA President for the Dayton Peace Agreement implementation. He met Mirza Hajric, the B&H President Adviser today. Privatisation has to be based on open tenders, Bicroft added. The report was produced by Zeljka Lekic.

Sarajevo

The crisis in the Council of Ministers’ work continues. The Parliamentary Assembly delegates didn’t vote on confidence in Tihomir Gligoric, candidate for the Council of Ministers Chairman, because the Serb delegates were against this. Some delegates think that he is in close relations with Slobodan Milosevic. Reported by OBN reporter, Damir Kaletovic.

Opatija

An International symposium on the Hague Tribunal started in Opatija today. Several speakers, mainly lawyers, criticised the Croatian judiciary. A very small number of trials of Croat criminals took place in Croatia, said Cedo Prodanovic, lawyer from Zagreb. The ICTY should participate more actively in the Croatian judiciary work, Prodanovic added. However, several participants disagreed with him, OBN journalist Duska Jurisic confirmed from Opatija.

Zagreb

Elections for the New City Assembly took place yesterday in Zagreb. According to the first results, the Social Democratic Party won the largest number of votes. The HDZ won 11,60% of votes. Reported by Gordana Simonovic from Zagreb.

World

A group of Serbs was attacked last night near Pristina. The former KLO Commander, Ekrem Redza was killed in Prizren today.

The first group of British soldiers arrived in Senegal this morning. 5 ships were sent to east Africa, and British citizens were recommended to leave Sierra Leone.

Another white farmer was killed in Zimbabwe.

Islamic rebels released one of the hostages in the Philippines. The EU political co-ordinator, Xavier Solana should arrive in Manila, in order to try and find a peaceful solution for the hostage crisis.

The piece on current world events was produced by Gordana Frimel.

Sarajevo

About 50 employees of the company “Hidrogradnja” have been on strike for 15 days. As their original demands were not granted, now they demand only one salary to be paid to them. The management refused their request. Employees from other construction companies supported the “Hidrogradnja” employees. Reported by Anes Alic.

Banja Luka

The RS Privatisation Agency held a press conference today. Their representatives said that the final deadline for registration is 19th May. The International Community should explain at the conference how they will support the privatisation programmes, Sanela Zivkovic confirmed.

Banja Luka

The 2nd International Conference on the concentration camp Jasenovac started today, reported Nedeljka Breberina from Banja Luka.

Mostar

Sinisa Jokic produced a piece on the Mostar police fight against the narcotic trade.

Sport

Reports on local fieldball and international football were presented.