20 February 98, 19:30
NATO Council decided about future troops in BiH. The decision was made after consultations with partners that are not in the alliance. Previously proposed name DFOR was discarded for practical reasons, because NATO calculated that only the change of the name on vehicles would cost one million dollars. The future peace troops will also have special unit of 1000 military policemen.
3:00
BiH President Izetbegovic replied to the letter of the French President, saying that the misunderstanding between the two countries was removed. BiH Presidency member Zubak discussed with the US Ambassador Kauzlarich the matters of the DPA implementation. Zubak also recieved Mostar Mayor Orucevic, and deputy Prskalo, discussing about positive processes in Mostar. CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic addressed a letter to the Federation Prime Minister Bicakcic, stressing that the basis of privatisation must be determined by the law on the level of BiH.
2:00
Joint Workers Syndicate of Croatia supported by 12 political parties, announced a protest meeting at the ‘Ban Jelacic’ square, despite of the prohibition of gathering. The police was ordered by the city authorities to prevent any gathering, however, about 70.000 people gathered, while 10.00 more remained out of Zagreb due to strong police forces that blocked all entries to the city.
2:00
New trial is preparing for March 26 for three Srebrenicians, held imprisoned in Bijeljina after fixed trial. Helsinki Human Rights Commission and OSCE organised three defence attorneys from RS. However, one of current attorneys, Radonjic, said that the prisoners did not have desire for RS attorneys to defend them. Radonjic said that this was an improper involvement, because three attorneys are fighting for the past year to defend the prisoners, and when they finally achieved it, they face inconvenience caused by incorrect and groundless involvement of HHRC and OSCE.
2:30
Canton Court of Tuzla organised a working agreement between Tuzla/Podrinje Canton Court and district Court from Bijeljina. This was done upon the UNHCR initiative and OSCE support. The court representatives stressed that re-establishment of connections between two courts is of essential importance for citizens of both entities.
1:30
Herzegovina/Neretva Canton Governor, Obradovic held a press conference with the subject of current problems in the Canton, including establishment of local authorities and return of refugees. Speaking of the policy of the International Community in the Canton, Obradovic said that this policy is rather unsuitable for the Croatian side, adding that this is not only because the IC, but also because of the Croat authorities.
2:00
Sarajevo Canton authorities and representatives of the ‘HELP’ humanitarian organisation as well as the EU representatives, signed the contract on reconstruction of a part of the housing fund for the amount of $4 million. This project covers 175 apartments in Dobrinja that would enable return for more than 600 citizens.
2:30
RS Prime Minister Dodik met with the US Secretary of State. Albright. As said by Dodik, the meeting was rather intensive, and it covered all important matters regarding the DPA implementation. Dodik added that Albright expressed the readiness to assist, and that $5 million for the social recovery in the RS was already approved. Dodik also said that RS is not opposing the refugee return, but that now there is no possibility to do this. Dodik also said that he is not against arrest of war criminals, but that he cannot do this.
2:00
BiH TV made an announcement saying that often complaints by political parties regarding covering of their activities, influenced to hold an editorial meting at the BiH TV. The editorial said that there is groundless inequality in presentation of different parties, caused by often announcements issued by some of them. The editorial concluded to establish the editorial working group that will make proposal on covering the parties activities, and to establish a special broadcast for presentation of the parties, because it is obvious that election campaign began before the scheduled term.
1:30