02 December 97, 19:30
Sarajevo – CoM session was held today with the three main issues: the laws on the work of CoM, passports and citizenship. The CoM refused the proposed amendments on these laws, and proposed them to the HoR of the BiH Parliament. HoR adopted only the Law on CoM. The SDP President Lagumdzija, and the UBSD President Tokic insisted that HoR should make a standpoint regarding the amendments. However, their insisting was refused by the HoR. The Law on Passports was not adopted because the representatives did not accord about the size of letters on the passports.
3:00
Budapest – The Federation Prime-minister Bicakcic is on an official visit to Hungary. During his conversations with the Hungarian Prime-minister, Horn, it was concluded to start more active trade, especially in fuel, which would stop the monopoly of Croatian ‘INA’. Bicakcic said that this should prevent the Hungarian products coming to Bosnia, in Croatian packages. Bicakcic said that the BiH Government still wishes to use the Ploce harbour as its main merchandising port, despite the fact that the agreement on rent of Ploce harbour was not reached yet. BiH officials have also been considering renting of the Yugoslav harbour Bar, but Bicakcic said that this harbour needs developed railway connections.
2:00
Brussels – The defence ministers of the NATO member countries discussed the remaining of troops in BiH, after the current SFOR mandate expires in June next year. A certain NATO official said that most of the NATO countries think that BiH should not be left without the presence of the international troops. The US Defence Minister Cohen said that the troops should withdraw from the BiH if the rest of the alliance does not give more money. He added that more money should be given for the police in BiH, because the army should not do jobs outside its field of work.
3:00
Ottawa/Sarajevo – The International Conference on Land-mines began today in Ottawa. BiH is also a participant in the conference, lead by the BiH FA Minister Prlic. The work of this conference should prohibit the world-wide usage of land-mines.
ICRC press briefing was held today, with the ICRC presentation of the programme for educating about land-mines. The ICRC representatives reminded that this education is necessary, because, each month about 50 people are harmed or killed by mines and unexploded ordinance in this country.
2:30
Sarajevo – The Eight Summit of the Islamic Countries Conference will be held from December 9-12 in Teheran. BiH was also invited to attend the summit as observer. As said by the Iranian Ambassador to BiH, Taherian, the aim of the summit is to unify the Islamic world, to join the nations in order to create a unique market, and union for the common good of the mankind. Taherian said that Iran stands for the complete DPA implementation. The BiH delegation at the summit will be lead by the BiH President Izetbegovic.
2:00
Sarajevo – OHR informed BiH TV that the session of the Federal Group for the Middle Bosnian Canton was held today. The urgent return of refugees to the Middle Bosnian Canton was agreed.
0:30
Mostar – OHR regional Chief, Sir Martin Garrod announced that he was very satisfied with the rotation of the authorities in Mostar, carried out yesterday.
OSCE Head for Mostar, Foley mentioned the election results implementation in the cantons six and seven. Foley said that there are problems in Bugojno, where the HDZ representatives did not come at the session, and in Travnik, Gornji Vakuf, Stolac and Capljina. Foley stressed that the process of local authorities establishment will be delayed no longer. Foley also stressed the problem that IDs are refused in Capljina to all who are not Croats, and said that this is a case of Human Rights violation.
UN and IPTF spokeswoman Moore stressed the problem of discharging the three civilian police employees in Mostar. Moore said that these employees originate from nationally mixed families. Moore did not want to say who signed the orders of discharge, adding that Ministers Coric and deputy Dziho knew about it.
2:30
Mostar – BiH Federation Minister for Transportation and Communication Gracanovic, The Mostar Mayor Prskalo and deputy Orucevic discussed the matter of Mostar airport re-opening with the Mostar airport representatives. OHR proposed to re-open the airport on December 15, which was accepted by Orucevic, but not by Prskalo.
1:30