18 February 98, 19:30
The NATO council in Brussels decided to form new peace troops for Bosnia. It was decided to keep the current level of 30.000 soldiers, and restructuring of manpower will be reconsidered after the September elections. The formal decision is expected on Friday at the session of NATO members, and the countries that are taking part in peace troops and are not members of NATO.
2:30
OHR spokesman Haselock announced that old BH passports will be valid until June 1 1998. Haselock said that although the HR did not change his standpoint that on the cover should stand only the name of the country but not of its entities, the HR cannot change the law adopted by the CoM. The HR praised the establishment of the Commission for return to Sarajevo. UN spokesman Ivanko said that yesterday in Velika Kladusa two houses of Democratic People’s Community (DNZ) supporters were hit by a hand rocket launcher. Another member of DNZ was attacked at the market place. Ivanko also said that in this month 12 houses were burned in Drvar.
2:00
BiH President Izetbegovic met with the former US Ambassador to Vienna Mrs. Hunt. Hunt informed Izetbegovic about establishment of Independent international Organisation for the Defence of human rights that will organise a meeting in March in Sarajevo. CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic held a meeting with legal and economic experts with the subject of implementation of international agreements on human rights. Federation President Ganic also received Mrs. Hunt and informed her about the problems of Srebrenica women. Federal Prime Minister Bicakcic and the Minister of Finances Bilandzija, received a visit of Herzegovina/Neretva Canton representatives, discussing among other matters, the plan for return of refugees, and the privatisation process.
2:00
Silajdzic’s cabinet made an announcement regarding the statement of Russian Special Envoy Aksenionak who expressed his hope that the arbitration decision for Brcko will be positive for the RS. The announcement says that it is unacceptable for Russian Special Envoy to prejudice the arbitration decision, and that this opinion is based on completely misjudged situation in Brcko.
1:00
The RS Prime Minister Dodik met with the US Special Envoy for Balkans Gelbard. The US Government positively assessed Dodik’s political actions so far and is ready to assist.
1:00
Joint Municipality Authorities from Brcko visited Tuzla today. The delegation talked with Tuzla Canton and Municipality authorities discussing the matters of railway traffic through Brcko, as well as the return of refugees and economic relations. Brcko Major Reljic answered the question whether he would allow the work of exhumation teams in Brcko, saying that he has no knowledge that mass murders ever took place in Brcko.
2:00
BiH TV news made a report about functioning of joint police squad in Brcko. Both the Federal And Canton Police Chiefs agreed that the co-operation level is satisfying. HR deputy Klein confirmed that abolishing of the visas, functioning of Brcko harbour, and other important matters will be subjects of his meeting with the Croatian President Tudjman.
2:00
The joint police establishment of the Usora municipality was scheduled to be held today. The session was however delayed for the next week, after the inauguration of the Zenica/Doboj canton police.
2:00
Zenica/Doboj Canton assembly held a session and adopted, among other things, the Law on Changes of the Law on Internal Affairs.
1:30
Federal MUP reacted to Schumacher’s letter regarding the registration plates administrative taxes, saying that the Canton MUP implemented earlier regulations on registration plates. Federal Minister of Internal Affairs, Zilic said that BiH citizens will pay 15 DEM taxes until May 31. The next moth taxes will be 30 DEM and afterwards the prices will be additionally changed.
1:00