OBN News Review, 9 August 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Headlines

Demonstrations in Kostajnica
The agreement between Tudjman and Izetbegovic attacked by Serb radicals
Croatian authorities have extradited Vinko Martinovic-Stela to the Tribunal in the Hague.
Jeltsin’s Russian roulette
Stepasin dismissed, new prime minister is Kutin
Violence in Kosovo and clashes between KFOR forces and the ethnic Albanians continued
From tomorrow morning traffic will temporarily be stopped on the main road M-17
Weather tomorrow – heat wave continues, but the temperatures will fall on Wednesday

Brussels

After numerous warnings, Vinko Martinovic Stela was extradited to the Tribunal in Hague. Chief prosecutor, Louise Arbour, also reminded the Croatian authorities that they have to extradite Mladen Naletelic Tuta to be tried together with Stela. Zvonimir Separovic, Croatian Justice minister, publicly announced that Croatian authorities extradited Stela under the condition that he has to be tried within two years.

Kosovska Mitrovica

Clashes between ethnic Albanians and KFOR forces continued. KFOR arrested 50 people who are said to be involved in organised violence. Arrests were also made in the village of Zitnje near Pristina where 45 Serb houses were burned. In eastern part of Kosovo, KFOR found an illegal camp of KLA. This report was prepared by OBN reporter Slobodan Maksimovic.

Kostajnica

Serb radicals are protesting against the agreement between Izetbegovic and Tudjman about the borders between Croatia and Bosnia. Municipal authorities in Srpska Kostajnica announced they are not accepting the Agreement. More than 200 people rallied in Kostajnica and accused prime minister Dodik of treason and announced they will fight outside of the parliament. Report prepared by OBN reporter Dragan Stanimirovic

Banja Luka

Ralph Johnson, chief assistant to Wolfgang Petritsch visited Banja Luka. Petar Djokic, spokesman of the National Assembly of RS, said he was pleased the International community will help RS in the implementation of the Dayton agreement. Ralph Johnson did not agree with the reporters that former High Representative left with many unsolved issues and said that he will hold talks with Serb politicians in near future. Report prepared by OBN reporter Biljana Arsic

Banja Luka

Simon Haselock, assistant to the High representative for media visited Banja Luka. He held talks with Rajko Vasic, Minister of Information, and said that he does not fell like “persona non grata”. Haselock said that he never received a letter from prime minister Dodik and pointed out that new TV in RS will only be stronger since no political party will have the control over it. Report prepared by OBN reporter Sanela Zivkovic

Sokolac

Seminar on Human Rights and Freedoms was held in Sokolac. The main conclusion of the participants is that we have to implement democracy by ourselves and not let the International community to impose it. Report prepared by OBN reporter Anes Alic

Ilidza

Meeting at Ilidza between the representatives of international organizations, local authorities, representatives of local communities and the representatives of NGO called Democratic Initiative of Sarajevo Serbs (DISS). DISS is satisfied with number of returnees, but not with the quality of reception. Report made by OBN reporter Sanjin Beciragic.

Washington

Report about democracy and human rights in USA. Freedom of speech and political expression firmly guaranteed. Scenes of different kinds of protesters in front of the White House. Tourist allowed to visit all government institutions. Report made by OBN reporter Amarildo Gutic

World news

Russian president Boris Jeltsin sacked the entire cabinet, including the prime minister Sergei Stepasin who was appointed only three months ago. New prime minister is Vladimir Kutin, former Chief of Secret Service. Clashes between Russian forces and islamic rebels in Dagestan near to border with Cecnia. Iraq, Israel, Hong Kong also mentioned. Report prepared by OBN reporter Zeljka Lekic

Sarajevo

Cantonal Prosecutor Office indicted Kasim Omicevic, Enver Backovic and Zuhdija Fetahovic for misuse of their position. They are accused of illegal transfer of money to Promdei Bank in 1996 and 1997. Report prepared by OBN editor and reporter Danijela Bozic

Mostar

Main road M-17 was blocked by independent association of truck drivers from Herceg-Bosna. They are asking Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior to hand them back two trucks that were confiscated because of illegal trafficking. Report prepared by OBN report Damir Kaletovic

Maglaj

No agreement about borders between municipalities of Zavidovici, Zepce and Maglaj. OHR suggested to donors to avoid Bosniak parts of Zavidovici and Maglaj. Report by OBN reporter Muhamed Carbric

Travnik

Coordination body dealing with the return of refugees accompanied by the representatives of the international organizations plan to visit the all 12 communities in Central Bosnia Canton. Report by OBN reporter Ana Drmac

Aleksin Han

Main road M-17 between Jablanica and Mostar will be closed from August 10 to August 12 due to reconstruction of the bridge near Aleksin Han. The works on the bridge will soon be completed. Report by OBN reporter Denis Vila.

Sport news

Ahmet Pasalic revealed today a list of BiH football players to take part in a match to be held on August 18 with the Lichtenstein team. Hingis returns to the top. World championship in chess is entering the final phase. Report by OBN reporter Muhamed Maslesa

Weather forecast

Report on tropical temperatures in Sarajevo

A contract that was signed today between OBN TV and “Top Lista Nadrealista” will allow us to watch some new episodes of this comedy serial.