On the fifth day of the Arbitration hearing in Vienna, information leaked that a compromise solution might be found, and even that “high politics” and the International Community know the decision before the end of the session. As in the two past years, the Serb side supports the opinion that the Brcko decision is not a subject of the arbitration, and that the problematic issue is the borderline. Federation Co-president Ganic said this was not true, as it was clarified in Rome. Ganic also said that he was “sorry that they base these opinions of theirs on some Westendorp’s standpoints. That is why it would be good if Mr. Westendorp would come here and expresses his standpoints before the Tribunal and to make this entry into books about Brcko once and for all. And I think that his opinion and his communications really have done a big damage to the session of the Tribunal. The whole professionalism that was prepared was greatly shaken with these standpoints of Mr. Westendorp, which are not fully expressed and cause a lot of doubts. Papers arrived from the International Community about his demand to prolong this, which means that Bosniak substance would slowly disappear.” OSCE Mission Chief Barry suddenly arrived to Vienna and met only with the Serb delegation. The OSCE strongly refutes that the issue of conversation concerned the Arbitration decision. (BiH TV news correspondent from Vienna).
After the meeting, Barry sad that the main issue was the Kosovo problem. But after everything, an information appeared that the main issue was Srebrenica. (OSCE announcement) – OSCE Ambassador Barry did not meet with RS Co-president Sarovic and Premier deputy Kremenovic to discuss the Brcko issues as it was carried by some media. The issues of the meeting were specific matters related to elections. Since OSCE mandate does not include Brcko, so the meeting had nothing in common with this issue.
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The US Senate decided that US President Clinton is not guilty for any of the two charges. This decision ended the impeachment process.
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The negotiations in Rembouillet were blocked today as the Albanian side conditioned signing of the agreement by guaranties of the International Community and NATO in the field. Serbian President Milutinovic said that the Serbian side is ready to meet with Albanian delegation directly, including the Kosovo Liberation Army members, but that Albanians have to sign the Ten Principles of the Contact Group.
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After Croatian delegation visited Turkey, Croatian FA Minister Granic said that all signed agreements with BiH will be fulfilled and unfinished agreements will be annexed. Borderline between Croatia and BiH will be marked in this year, implementation of the Ploce port agreement will begin, and Agreement on Special Relations of BiH Federation and Croatia will be annexed, Granic said.
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