21 January 98, 19:30
The HR Westendorp and the Central Bank Governor Nicholl held a press conference, announcing the decision on the design of the new BiH currency. The currency will not contain national symbols, but the images of BiH famous authors. The inscriptions will be in Cyrillic and Latin, same color and size. The only difference between the RS and BiH Federation currencies is the Bosniak and Serb authors that are represented on the currency, except for Mesa Selimovic who is represented in both versions.
2:00
The House of People adopted the Law on Constitution of the New Municipalities in the BiH Federation. The Minister of Justice, Tadic said that the Government accepted the decision of the international arbiter and refused most of representatives’ amendments. HoP representative Bender proposed an amendment on the establishment of the new municipality – Ravno, which was accepted after a discussion with the Federation Prime Minister Bicakcic. Nine new municipalities were established. The Law on Starting Balance of Banks and Enterprises was also adopted.
2:30
BiH officials delegation visited Turkey. The Turkish President Demirel expressed his full support for the United and Independent BiH. The BiH delegation was led by the CoM Co-chairmen Silajdzic and Bosic, as well as the CoM Vice-President Tomic. The Minister of Foreign Trade Kurtovic and his deputy Bogic. Demirel said that Turkey has the equal relations towards all three nations in BiH. BiH delegation also met with the highest Turkish officials, including the Prime Minister Yilmaz.
2:00
The Center for Democracy of the ICG held a conference in Vienna, analyzing the aspects of the further political and military situation development. Former HR Carl Bildt is also taking part at the conference, as well as the First ICTY Judge Richard Goldstone, Former Austrian Minister of FA, Mock, and US Special Envoy Gelbard. BiH Federation President Ganic is also taking part at the session. Goldstone appealed to the US to carry out a more aggressive campaign for arrest of war criminals. Goldstone added that the failure of Karadzic’s arrest caused disturbance in the International Court System. European Commissioner for FA Van den Broek said that the European Commission wants a closer cooperation with the local authorities in BiH, regarding the reconstruction program.
2:00
BiH Federation Prime Minister Bicakcic talked to the German Special Envoy for Refugees, Schlee. The main subject of the discussion was the possibilities of the economic cooperation between the two countries. Minister for Refugees, Kadic also talked to Schlee. The common satisfaction was expressed regarding the political and economic readiness of all concerned for the refugee return. Schlee said that there is still about 250.000 refugees, out of which 180.000 are from the RS and whose return will be the biggest challenge in this year.
2:00
UNHCR spokesman Janovski held a press conference, summarizing his work in the past four years in BiH, before his transfer to the new duty in Geneva. Janovski expressed his optimism regarding the future of BiH. UNHCR spokeswoman in Mostar Quentier will come at Janovski’s post.
2:00
West Mostar police banned the reconstruction of an BiH “Energopetrol” gas station, in the village Potoci, near Mostar. Employed in “Energopetrol” say that they have the proper documentation for the beginning of the work at the reconstruction. The document signed by the “Petrol” company director, Pehar from West Mostar says that the gas station is not a property of “Energopetrol” any longer.
2:00
Brcko Mayor Reljic said that International Supervisor, Farrand can be satisfied because he ordered the post of the Municipality Assembly President Djapo. The head of police in Brcko said that this decision is not a political decision of the Serb people but an order that has to be fulfilled.
2:00
The Collegium of the Canton Court in Sarajevo made an announcement saying that the Court has delivered the documentation about Cancar’s case to the ICTY, and received the approval that there are evidences for illegal imprisonment of civilians. The Canton Court also said that the procedure against Cancar was led in accordance with the Rome Agreement and based on the opinion of ICTY, and therefore the Court considers the OSCE announcement irregular.
2:00
The Eurpoean Commissioner in BiH, Ambassador Chiarini said that the EU will donate the BiH independent media development for the amount of 4.8 million DEM in this year. This amount will be allocated to 18 media houses in BiH. The BiH TV Children and Educational programme is also included in the project.
2:00