06 January 98, 19:30
The Minister for Development and Collaboration of Kingdom of Holland, Pronk visited BiH today. The main purpose of his visit was to get an insight in the reconstruction process in BiH and to inform about the conditions for return of refugees. Minister Pronk firstly visited Mostar and surrounding areas where the Kingdom of Holland has invested 5 million DEM into reconstruction program. Later on Minister Pronk met with the OHR Regional Head, Sir Martin Garrod and the highest officials of Herzegovina/Neretva Canton. Main subject of discussions was the problem of return of refugees. The Mostar Mayor, Orucevic asked Pronk to mediate with the Holland Government to assist in reconstruction of Croatian houses in eastern Mostar. Pronk promised to answer this proposal tomorrow.
3:30
United States decided to give $29 million to the UNHCR in order to help the return of refugees during this year. Thus, the US responded to the UNHCR demand to the Western countries to assist with $187 million for the refugee return program in the areas of the former Yugoslavia. UNHCR spokesman, Janovski praised this decision saying that from the BH is supposed to receive $87 million out of planned sum.
1:00
Trial to a Bosnian Croat, Zlatko Aleksovski began today in Hague as a part of collective indictment for “Kordic’s group”. Aleksovski was the commander of the camp Kaonik since January until May 1993. Aleksovski is indicted for violation of International Human Rights against civilians held in camp Kaonik.
Another Bosnian Croat, Vlatko Kupreskic, recently apprehended by SFOR will be indicted for assaults and murders of Bosniak civilians during the 1993.
3:00
German FA Minister, Kinkel said he trusts that this year will be the year when Karadzic will be finally extradited to the ICTY. I would like to see more austere mandate which would result with the apprehension of Karadzic.
1:00
Federation President, Ganic visited Tuzla/Podrinje Canton and met with the canton officials. Main subjects of discussions were infrastructure recovering and return of refugees. Ganic proposed an initiative for the OHR to arrange meetings between mayors of bigger cities in both entities regarding the return of refugees. The matter of Tuzla airport re-opening was also discussed.
3:00
UN spokesman Ivanko said that the members of the multi-ethnic police in Brcko established joint patrols in this city. This units, according to Ivanko’s words, does not answer to the Police Chief in Brcko, but directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Bijeljina. UNHCR spokesman Janovski said that the return of refugees in Brcko is under the moratorium of the High Representative, in order to prevent the people who never lived in Brcko to occupy other people’s apartments. This decision stroke the Serbs who live in Brcko and the Bosniaks who wished to return, said Janovski. OHR spokesman Attarashany said that on the Christmas day, the SRT broadcast an old emission of the Belgrade TV that shows Croats and Bosniaks as fascist, and calls Tudjman same as Pavelic. Ambassador Eide stressed the necessity of establishment of the new RS Government, during his discussions with Krajisnik. Attarashany confirmed that the most serious candidate for the RS Prime-Minister is Mladen Ivanic, who is currently negotiating with the representatives of all parties in order to establish the government of national unity. SFOR spokesman Garnaud said that the Ostojic’s statement that SFOR prevents the maintenance of TV transmitters is not true.
3:00
RS President Plavsic said that she will continue her work in accordance with the RS Constitution and DPA and suggested those who do not respect the DPA to change their standpoint in order to prevent the people to be harmed.
1:00
BH Ambassador in Zagreb, Trnka asked for official explanation on the excluding of Bosniaks from the Croatian Constitution. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded saying that the constitution changes aimed to accord the constitution with the reality in Croatian nowadays. OHR Mostar Head, Sir Martin Garrod refuted the allegations of Croatian weekly “Globus” about his resignation from this post. His replacement by Gen. Jacques Klein, Sir Martin Garrod called ridiculous. Commenting the recent explosions in Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod said that they don’t have the political background.
Local train was stoned on Zenica/Zavidovici route last night in a place called Viniste by unknown persons. BH Railways in Zenica are worried about this 4th attack on their trains. After this attack railway traffic was ceased.