08 October 97, 19:00
Hague – Two days after the indicted Croats surrendered to the Hague, the first hearing began. Each of the indicted claimed not guilty. In case the opposite is proven, members of so-called “knightly group” could face a life sentence each. According to ICTY rules, the date of the trial must be set 60 days before the trial begins.
1’30”
Brussels – HR Westendorp and OSCE Ambassador Frowick considered the role of SFOR troops in BiH with the NATO Secretary General Solana, and the NATO council members. Frowick said that a military presence in BiH will be required after June 1998.
HR Westendorp stated that he will ask for an extension of his mandate if no significant progress is achieved in the BiH peace process by the end of the year. Westendorp added that the Contact Group should be asked for authorisation in applying the legal regulations against those who usurp peace in BiH. Westendorp said that these regulations will force each side to co-operate. Westendorp also expressed his great concern about the implementation of election results which is supposed to begin next week.
Frowick said that Parliament and Presidential elections in RS might be held concurrently, and that there is also an option to reschedule the elections from December to April next year.
2’30”
Monaco – The OSCE Parliament session began today. Among other issues, the Parliament will also consider the matters of CEI and the role of BiH in the future European Development.
0’30”
Flash news:
Federal Co-president Ganic met UK Minister Lloyd. Issues discussed were arrest of war criminals, local elections, NATO status in BiH, media, and human rights.
CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic talked to the Kuwait-Bahrain business group about the reconstruction of Sarajevo Airport, and improvement of telecommunications.
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Tuzla/Podrinje – Canton President Jamakosmanovic talked with the UN Development Programme representative Burrel, and said that the main idea in municipalities support is to distribute $100 000 to each municipality, meant for carrying out the public works and providing employment.
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Velika Kladusa – Unofficial information that the Democratic People’s Community (DPC), will win the elections in Velika Kladusa caused various protests to the OSCE, reminding that most of the DPC candidates are indicted for war crimes. OSCE spokesman said that indictments issued by local authorities have no significance, and that the winning candidates would be allowed to take their posts unless they were indicted by ICTY. New arguments were presented against the indicted, Djedovic. The indictment charges him for crimes from October 1993.
1’30”
Sarajevo – OHR spokesman Haselock said that the Office is concerned about an article published in “Dnevni Avaz”, where Djedovic is being judged before the trial has begun. UN spokesman Ivanko said that ICTY has been informed about Djedovic’s case, but the ICTY prosecutor said that it was not a case for ICTY. However, there is evidences that enables the National Court to bring charges. UN Human Rights Special Envoy Rehn said that the post of Ostojic as the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission President was “damage done”, and that it should be repaired as soon as possible.
UN spokesman Ivanko announced that a group of about 300 policemen from Banja Luka, who were heading towards Derventa, was stopped by a group of about 100 policemen and those movements were reported neither to SFOR nor IPTF. Ivanko reported that the Doboj chief of police said that the reasons for these movements were the taking over the police precinct in Doboj, but Ivanko could not guarantee the authenticity of this statement. SRNA agency reported that the seizure of Bijeljina police precinct was prevented, and that an attempt was carried out by the Banja Luka police. Pale MUP announced that similar actions were undertaken in Derventa, Teslic and Bosanski Brod. – SFOR spokesman Oosteen said that the ban of movement for BiH Army and HVO had been revoked. The decision was taken after the BiH authorities informed SFOR that there were no war prisoners in BiH prison facilities.
3’00”