OBN News Review, 8 November 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

Israeli and Palestinian representatives began final negotiations for solving the Middle East crisis
Damir Dosen, indicted for war crimes, pleaded not guilty in front of the Hague Tribunal
Association of citizens “Srebrenica 99” ask for the dismissal of the Tuzla Canton Minister, Adib Djozic
OHR tries to solve the crisis of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Government

Middle East

The final round of the negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian representatives, which should end one of the biggest crises of the twentieth century, began today. It was planned that Israelis and Palestinians reach a general peace agreement on the Middle East by the end of February next year. The final peace agreement will be signed in Septembre 2000. The report was produced by OBN journalist, Mladen Maric.

Chechenia

There are no signs that the crisis in Chechenia would be solved through negotiations. Today, the Chechen capital, Grozny, was a target of heavy attacks by the Russian artillery. The Russian Army confirmed that they made new air strikes on targets in Chechenia. There were civilian casualties. The report was produced by OBN journalist, Gordana Frimel.

The 10th anniversary of breaking down the wall in Berlin will be celebrated tomorrow in Berlin. The German Ambassador in BiH will be the guest of OBN in tomorrow’s TV INFO. Today, three ex leaders, from USA, Russia and Germany, gathered in Berlin. The report on this was produced by OBN journalist, Zeljka Lekic.

The Hague

Two weeks after his arrest, Damir Dosen, one of the commanders in the ex concentration camp Keraterm near Prijedor, was brought up in front of the Court Council of the Hague Tribunal. Dosen said he was not guilty of allegedly committed war crimes. The report on this was produced by OBN reporter, Gordana Frimel.

Mostar

The Customs Management in Mostar, the Finance Police and the Interior Ministry of the Neretva Canton, announced that they implemented an action at the live stock market place in Stolac. The authorities investigated six trucks which did not have proper documents, OBN reporter from the area, Pejo Gasparevic, confirmed. The investigation is going on.

Tuzla

Association of citizens “Srebrenica 99” asked from the OHR to dismiss the Tuzla Canton Minister of Refugees and Displaced Persons, Adib Djozic. The Association blames the leadership of the Srebrenica Municipality and the Minister, Adib Djozic, for very bad results within the process of return to the Municipality, OBN reporter from the area, confirmed. Minister Adib Djozic said that the request made by the Association was due to political reasons. The fact is that not a single has Bosniak returned to the Municipality to date.

Mostar

Head of the OHR in Mostar is currently trying to solve the crisis in the functioning of the Neretva Canton Government. The problems occurred because Bosniak and Croat ministers were not able to reach any agreement. At today’s meeting between OHR representatives with the heads of the Government, measures for an urgent start of the privatisation process were agreed.

Sarajevo

BiH Federation ombudspersons asked the BiH Federation Prime Minister to determine guidelines about recording flats previously owned by the ex Yugoslav Army and which were bought by BiH Federation citizens in 1991 and 1992. Ombudspersons warned that the Ministry is making the procedure harder and thus breaches the right of citizens, who buy the flats, on property and equal treatment in front of the law. The report was produced by OBN reporter, Amarildo Gutic.

Travnik

A piece on the visit of the BiH Federation Prime Minister, Edhem Bicakcic, to Travnik. The Prime Minister met with Bosniak and Croat representatives in order to discuss the current situation in the Srednja-Bosna Canton. For the first time, the meeting was attended by Croat representatives. The Head of the Canton, Branko Golub, said that the main problems in the Canton were the security issue, insufficient development of the economy, the functioning of the Canton Assembly and insufficient space for school premises.

Banja Luka

A piece on the high cost of study at the new International University in Banja Luka. Fees for one year are 1,700 USD which is too much for the most of the students. Currently, 130 students from the RS are attending the International University for Sport and do not have to pay the fees.

This was followed by a report on the preparations of households for the forthcoming winter and the difficult economic situation in the RS, OBN reporter from Banja Luka, Nedeljka Breberina, confirmed.

Travnik

A piece on the opening of a new department in the Travnik Hospital. The hospital celebrates 100 year of its founding. Funds for the reconstruction of the hospital were partly provided by the Government of Netherlands.

Sport

A report on the death of the oldest participant of Olympic Games, Leon Stukelj, was followed by reports on the NBA matches and international football.