16 January 98, 19:30
HR Westendorp asked the Central bank Governor to deliver him the design of the new BiH Currency by January 20. The HR will pass the Law on the BiH currency, which will be valid until all sides agree about its design. Because of delay of the city Council establishment, HR Deputy Schumacher addressed a letter to the parties participating in the City Council. In his letter, Schumacher proposes that the president of the Council should be a member of SDP, Croat nationality, one Co-president from the Coalition, Bosniak nationality, and the second Co-president from the Joint List, other nationality. HR Westendorp also reacted to Klickovic statements about liquidation, addressing a letter to Plavsic and Krajisnik, and demanding to discharge Klickovic from all future duties. UN spokesman Ivanko announced that OSCE Media Experts Commission received the request for criminal charges against Serb radio “Sveti Jovan”, run by daughter of indicted war criminal, Karadzic. Ivanko said that most of the yesterday’s broadcast on this radio was dedicated to promotion of Karadzic’s image and deeds, saying that this is disgusting and unacceptable. SFOR spokesman, Clark announced that the RS Army HQ Commander, Gen. Colic denied all the statements he is supposed to have made regarding Karadzic’s arrest.
4:00
SDP accepted the proposal of HR deputy Schumacher, on the establishment of the City Council. SDP Representative, Lazovic said that before the City Council establishment session, it is necessary for all Municipality Councils to hold sessions in order to elect the remained councilors.
2:00
An American helicopter crashed near Srebrenica. The helicopter was escorting the convoy of vehicles with International Election Supervisors, and Bosniak Councillors, who won the majority in the Srebrenica Municipality Council. One of the pilots has suffered serious injuries, while the other only minor. There were no other victims. (The BiH TV broadcast a live shot of the helicopter crash. It was clearly visible that the gathered crowd was throwing rocks at vehicles, chasing them to go back, and yelling for the helicopter to crash. The fall of the helicopter caused the eruption of satisfied ovations of the mass; it could be heard ‘he is dead, he is dead!’. There were also a lot of curses and swearing against the helicopter and the vehicles. The police were not too enthusiastic in trying to prevent the people from this violent act.)
2:00
Mladen Ivanic resigned from the post of the RS Government Prime-Minister designate. Ivanic informed Plavsic that he did not receive approval of the SDS and the Radicals for the Government he proposed. According to the ‘Deutsche Welle’ radio, Ivanic and the SPS RS President, Radisic went to Belgrade for consultations with Milosevic.
1:30
The trial in Hague against the “Vitez” group continued today. At the first hearing, Kupreskic refuted the indictment for participation in the murder of a Bosniak woman, and pleaded not guilty.
1:30
Croatian President Tudjman received a visit of BiH delegation. Silajdzic, Zubak and Ganic congratulated Tudjman on the successful ending of the reintegration process in the Croatian Danube valley. Tudjman also expressed a desire for continuing negotiations between two countries. The BiH Delegation also raised the question of Bosniak exclusion from the Croatian Constitution. Tudjman said that there are two reasons for this: the first one is because Bosniaks are not considered an original nation in Croatia, and the other is that the term ‘Bosniak’ is sometimes used for Croats and Serbs as well, which is unacceptable for Croatia.
2:30
A meeting between Silajdzic and the Croatian Prime-Minister, Matesa was held today. It was agreed to continue discussions about Ploce and Neum, and to re-consider the effect of the economic agreement between two countries.
The inauguration of the Western Herzegovina Canton police, scheduled for tomorrow in Livno, will not be held, because the Ministry of Internal Affairs of WH Canton and the deputy Minister, Leotar refused to allow the police to wear the Federation insignia at the ceremony. UN spokesman Ivanko said that the IPTF will not certify these police officers and not provide them with ID cards.
2:00
The Federal minister for Urbanism, Morankic assessed the Law on Purchase of Apartments a concise, clear and applicable. The law was mentioned for persons who do not have apartments in ownership.
1:30
Members of the State Commission for Missing persons in Una/Sana canton and RS agreed about the exchange of bodies of the war victims. The exchange was scheduled for the end of February.
1:30
The delegation of Serb refugees from Bugojno visited this town for the first time after six years. The delegation asked for reconstruction of a church and several houses, prior to return. The municipality head, Mlaco agreed about the proposal and asked for assistance in construction material from the present UNHCR representatives.
2:00