08 February 98, 19:30
Sarajevo – Relating to the reaction of the SDA party representatives towards the initiative for unification of the social democratic powers in BiH, UBSD issued a statement accusing the SDP of rejecting their project of unification. SDA leadership has practically turned down the initiative of UBSD for unification, reads a Statement. Such decisions, and especially the content and discussions by some of the highest SDP leaders, can only please representatives of some ruling structures, especially those of the SDA. UBSD is disappointed with such an outcome, but will continue consultations with various associations and parties in the Federation and RS in order to find the modalities for the unification of Social Democrats in BiH as the basic alternative to the ruling nationalistic structures, concludes the statement.
2:00
Vienna – The Arbitration hearing on the Brcko future continued in Vienna. A decision of the Main Council of the Croatian Community Herceg Bosna to create various sections for the relevant activities was received with protests at the Arbitration. It weakens the Federation from inside especially during the Arbitration and reminds of the duality which once existed in the Federation, but was eliminated after signing of the DPA, Ejup Ganic told the news. I will ask the HR to urgently call a Federation Forum session to discuss this issue. It is felt here that this is a new course for division, he concluded.
2:30
Following are details from the Arbitration hearing.
2:00
The Croatian Christian Union of BiH (HKDU) is demanding from the Brcko Arbitration to award this town to the Federation, Dr Anto Kovacevic, former Union’s President told the news in Sarajevo. If it is not possible to happen for the time being, Dr. Kovacevic suggests a Protectorate to be introduced for Brcko. The decision must guarantee the elementary human rights for all expelled and displaced people from Brcko. It must not be forgotten that 61 per cent of Bosniacs and 8 per cent Croats were living in this town before the war, he argued.
2:00
Brcko will be a central topic of tomorrow’s meeting of the RS President Biljana Plavsic with Jacques Chirac and Iber Vedrine.
0:30
Brussels – A delegation consisting of Reis-Ul-Ulema Ef. Ceric, Cardinal Puljic, Metropolit Nikolaj and President of the Jewish Community, Finci, left for Brussels to talk with Hans van den Brooke, EU Official, as well as Havier Solana, NATO Secretary General.
0:30
Washington – In a lengthy piece US Defence Minister Cohen was shown talking about allied troops in BiH. They are staying under certain conditions, he said. President Clinton has already defined some of them. Cohen further tackled the number of the troops staying in BiH, the funding of their activities, etc.
2:00
Sarajevo-Stup – The First steps towards the concrete actions on the refugee returns after Sarajevo Returns Conference, are already being done. Footage of Chiarini and Ivo Gabara while visiting a Sarajevo suburb Stup, where around three thousand houses were completely destroyed during the war. EC is going to invest 3,8 million DM not only for housing, but for the electricity, sewage, social infrastructure, small economy etc.
1:30
Footage of Christina ? who contributed to ensure that crimes against Bosnian women reached the Hague Tribunal.
1:00
Inserts of Balasevic’s concert and his Press Conference. (Proceeds from his two concerts in Sarajevo goes towards paying for the children artificial limbs.
0:30
There follows a piece on correspondence between Bicakcic, Federation Prime Minister and Beslagic, Tuzla Commissioner concerning cuts of the electricity to all those who did not pay for their bills as well as Kadic, Minister for refugees and Social Affairs and Hrle, Trade Union President, concerning Labour legislature in BiH.
1:30
AlLot of money for OBN has been thrown out of the window, Ambassador Hans Schumacher said at the Circle 99 tribune. He was very sceptical about the assistance to media from outside. He also expressed his deep unsatisfaction with the functioning of the CoM.
1:30
Three former OBN employees: Merima Sijaric, Jasna Kasalo and Sandra Mijatovic, in an open letter rejected assertion of Rida Attarashani, OHR advisor for Media Development that they left OBN due to the low salaries. This follows a broader explanation related to the reorganisation at the OBN.
1:30