Kosovo village of Racak is again the place of heaviest fighting in the province. The Hague Tribunal Head Prosecutor, Arbour attempted to visit the Racak village today, but was returned from the Yugoslav-Macedonian border by Serbian authorities. Serbian forces continue to attack Racak with all available means, in order to take the victims, Albanian political sources estimated. Both, Albanian and Serbian sources said that five Serbian policemen were wounded in Mitrovica, which followed by a strong reaction from Serbian forces. NATO generals did not travel to Belgrade for the scheduled meeting with Milosevic, due to “bureaucratic nuances” in Belgrade. The meeting was rescheduled for tomorrow.
2:30
BiH TV anchor announced Reisu-l-ulema Ef. Ceric’s Ramadan and Bajram Greetings to all Moslems in the country and out of the country, as well as to Moslems in Kosovo, while Reisu-lulema Ef. Ceric congratulated Bajram especially to all Moslems in former Yugoslavia countries.
2:00
BiH Presidency Chairman Radisic visited Brcko, meeting wit Ambassador Farrand and discussed the forthcoming arbitration on Brcko, and said that the decision is expected to be for the benefit of the RS, for, as he said, the future of the RS and Dayton Agreement depends on the decision. Brcko Mayor from the Federation, Jusufovic said that the RS authorities did not do anything about refugee return to Brcko, but they obstructed it, and all that was done is with assistance of the International Community, OHR and Supervisor Farrand.
2:00
Presidency member Jelavic made an announcement regarding SFOR‘s confiscation of HVO weapons. Jelavic said that this is not “only about “communication breakdown”, but about political pressure which announces sanctions for every alleged non-obedience.” Jelavic also said that the Croat side will continue open co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, but “without labeling Croats and usage of double standards in assessments of war crimes.” Jelavic also supported refugee return, initiative that Mostar becomes the capital of the Federation, and for Croat national radio and TV channel.
2:00
BiH Central bank Governor Nicholl said that implementation of EURO should have positive consequences for BiH, because BiH KM is following the exchange rate of German Mark, and thus is tied to EURO as well.
1:30
The Federal Ministry of Finances disputed certain information in the media on irregularities in allocation of the Tuzla/Podrinje Canton budget allocation. At the Canton Government session it was said that there were no illegal activities in the Government and that there was no misuse of the Cantonal Budget.
1:30