Sarajevo – Deputies of both BiH Assembly Houses did not accept any of the three proposals for an official BiH Coat of Arms at their sessions today. Some 18 deputies voted for a design which is similar to the BiH flag, but they did not represent the required one third of the deputies from each entity. The Serb representatives did not vote for any suggestion. The HoR adopted a conclusion to task the CoM to make a draft law on refugee returns and DPs at the state level. Deputies accepted a Law on the Joint Investments in BiH, which was already discussed at several sessions. 3,50 Lukavica – HoP convened in Lukavica. In less then one hour, the deputies gave a green light to several draft laws and annexes. In this fast work the draft law on the BiH Coat of Arms did not pass the exam. A regular shift of chairmen followed the meeting.
1:30
Sarajevo – Jean Chretien, Canadian Prime Minister visited BiH for a second time, today. Although short, today’s visit had a very dense official protocol. Chretien met with the three members of the BiH Presidency. They exchanged thoughts on the political situation in BiH. Footage showed the Prime Minister’s arrival at Sarajevo airport and followed him during the whole visit which ended in the NATO bases in Kljuc and Cazin. Chretien spent there some hours with Canadian military units. Ademir Jerkovic, Presidency Chairman Spokesman, held a Press Conference early afternoon on the important visit in Sarajevo. He told journalists that Presidency Members informed Jean Chretien about the economic and political results which were made in BiH after the DPA. The Canadian Premier promised that the Canadian Government will further assist in the reconstruction of BiH and return of refugees.
2:00
Brcko – On his first working day since returning back to BiH Deputy HR Robert Farrand met with Sarajevo Governor Midhat Haracic. Their talks focused on the experiences and plans in the two way returns such as: setting up of commissions for the poll opinion, help in securing the documents for the return of ownership, exchange of visits and security situation, etc. This is a serious program and not a game of numbers. This represents our effort to make a sustainable return, Supervisor Farrand told the news. Our arrival to Brcko represents a start of a process which I would judge a bridge between Sarajevo and Brcko for two way return, Midhat Haracic said.
1:30
Sarajevo – It is expected that the Federation Parliamentary HoR will discuss the Draft Law on the Pension and Invalid Insurance at its tomorrow’s session. The Pensioners Association will propose several amendments to the proposal to the law through their Deputies.
1:30
Una-Sana Canton – After all attempts to solve accumulated problems in the secondary schools education ended without results, another day of warning strikes has been organised in the Canton.
1:00
Washington – A private visit of the RS President Biljana Plavsic to the USA would not carry special media weight if Plavsic had not returned to her well known stance about the persons indicted for war crimes. In her speech at the Council for the Foreign Political Relations in Washington she reiterated that the RS Constitution does not contain the possibility of handing over the persons indicted for war crimes. At the same time the leaders of 26 leading Jewish Communities in US joined other demands sent to US President Bill Clinton that he should urge NATO to arrest Karadzic and Mladic without any delay.
1:30
Follows the international news. Follows the parties’ comments on the HDZ Assembly meeting. Sarajevo – OSCE Mission in BiH announced that the registration of voters for the general elections will start on 1 June.
0:30
Sarajevo – Beginning to broadcast a series of promotion pieces as well as TV programs, the OHR launched a public information campaign under the theme Think. The key idea of this campaign is meant for the BiH residents to think of their future and other important facts they are surrounded with or live with. Talking at the launch of the campaign in Obala Art Center today, Simon Haselock said that the OHR aims to reconstruct media in BiH through the law regulation in order to encourage development of independent media and to erase any political influence in them.
2:00