OHR BiH TV News Summary, 15 December 1998

  • Peace Implementation Conference starts in Madrid
  • Hajric comments on Srebrenica four case
  • OHR, OSCE, UN sharply condemn Bijeljina District Court decision
  • Representatives of Srebrenica municipality appeal for release of Srebrenica men
  • BiH Federation Defence Ministry to give BiH Federation Privatization Agency reports on soldiers demands for participation in privatization process
  • International news
  • Holbrooke in Pristina
  • BiH Federation House of Representatives session scheduled for 17 December
  • Posavina Canton Government holds session
  • Bihac Municipal Council holds session
  • BiH Federation Interior Ministry representatives meet with HN Canton Interior Ministry
  • Zenica Company PRIM on strike
  • Culture

The Peace Implementation Conference has started in Madrid. The conference was opened by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who expressed the International Community’s support for a unified, democratic and multiethnic BiH. High Representative Carlos Westendorp reported on the progress of Dayton Agreement implementation and stressed that the next two years are crucial for the establishment of a modern and democratic BiH. He announced that the IC might stay in BiH for two more years. The Bosniak delegation offered a new suggestion to resolve the Brcko issue. Member of the BiH Presidency Alija Izetbegovic stated that the arbiter for Brcko should stick to the principles of legality and equality, as established in the Dayton Agreement, when reaching the arbitration decision. Member of the BiH Presidency Ante Jelavic pointed out that unconditional refugee return must be secured next year on a pan-state level. The main issues discussed were refugee return, human rights, democracy, the future of Brcko and police issues. A TV BiH journalist reporting from Madrid remarked that the organization of the conference was very bad.
05:26

IC expected to intervene in Srebrenica four case – Hajric The Bijeljina District Court verdict on the four Srebrenica men still causes much reaction. According to BH Press, High Representative Carlos Westendorp condemned the verdict because of the absence of valid evidence in the trial process. Advisor to the Bosniak Member of the BiH Presidency, Mirza Hajric, stated that International Community officials are expected to be engaged on this issue in order to resolve the case as soon as possible.
02:03

IC condemns Bijeljina court verdict OHR spokesperson Alexandra Stiglmayer stated that the OHR, OSCE and UN sharply condemned the Bijeljina District Court verdict on four Srebrenica men. The only proof that connects these men with the murders, of which they were accused, is their confessions which were “brought by force.” International Law forbids the forceful extraction of confessions and their use in reaching any verdicts, she explained.
01:02