13 January 98, 19:30
The US Special Envoy, Gelbard visited Sarajevo and Banja Luka today. At the meeting with the BiH officials, Gelbard asked for the return of refugees to be enabled regardless of their nationality. The matter of the BiH currency was also discussed, and the allocation of 32 BiH ambassadors was agreed. With strong pressure by the International Community, the Presidency members agreed to accept the arbitration solution by the HR Westendorp. Gelbard said that it is tragic that the currency design agreement was not achieved in the past nine months. Gelbard also met the RS President, Plavsic, discussing the matter of implementation of the Parliament elections results in the RS.
3:30
FA Minister, Prlic talked to the delegation of the Board for the 50 Years Anniversary of the Human Rights declaration. The delegation informed Prlic about the intention to hold the central celebration of the anniversary in Sarajevo.
1:00
The BiH Syndicate was visited by a group of employees of the “Livno-Bus” company, who were discharged from their jobs only because of their Bosniak nationality. The employees said that almost all Bosniaks in Livno were sacked because of their nationality, and stressed that the situation in Tomislavgrad, Ljubuski and Capljina is even worse. Acccording to the OHR representative who attended the meeting, the Office will engage in this case.
1:30
The Federation Co-President, Soljic addressed a letter to the Brcko Supervisor Farrand, saying that it is unacceptable to use recently built houses near Brcko for a temporary transit center for Bosniak families. These houses are on the Croatian territory of Brcko municipality. Soljic said that this decision was the reason why the Croat side did not take part in the work of the Arbitration Commission for Brcko.
2:00
OHR Head for Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod expressed his satisfaction with the Holland decision to accept the proposal by the Mostar Mayor Orucevic, to assist the reconstruction of the Croat houses in the Eastern Mostar. Garrod also said he was disappointed with the fact that the Canton Government did not adopt the plan for general refugee return.
2:00
Mediator for BiH, Schwartz-Schilling set the deadline for the municipality authorities of Orasje to establish the information center on the area of the municipality, by January 21. According to the Head of the Municipality council, Benkovic, the main task of the center will be to collect information and deliver it to the Municipality Council, and based on this information, a plan for the global return of refugees will be created.
1:30
Former HDZ member, Stipe Mesic reacted to the recent interview by Presidency member Zubak. Zubak accused Bosniaks and Croats of dividing Bosnia in 1991, but Mesic said that Zubak was not in politics at that time and cannot know this. Mesic said that this story was forged in order to transfer some of Tudjman’s blame to Izetbegovic. Mesic added that Zubak speaks what Tudjman thinks, and he lies upon Tudjman’s orders.
1:00
HR Westendorp commented on yesterday’s RS Parliament President elections as the first move ahead, with regrets that there were some false statements by some representatives. The RS President Plavsic said that there was some progress, but also obstructions.
2:00