The Srebrenica Group Seven were transferred yesterday to Tuzla County Husic said that in the first month of their imprisonment in Bijeljina they were severely beaten, threatened to be killed and forces to confess crimes they did not commit. OHR said that the procedure of prisoners’ transfer is acceptable if this is carried out for humanitarian reasons, OHR spokesperson Stiglmeyer said. SDA spokesman Jahic said that the Srebrenica citizens will never return to the RS casemates, regardless of verdict of the RS Supreme Court. Jahic said that this is “victory of our policy, Presidency member Izetbegovic and prisoners’ defence.”
2:00
A real war-report arrived from Kosovo. After shelling of Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbian forces entered this settlement. Albanian sources claim that about 15.000 Albanian civilians left their homes. OSCE Mission Head Walker replied to Belgrade’s ultimatum that he must leave Kosovo, and said that he will remain there, and that he posses the evidence about the massacre over Albanians in the Racak village, committed by Serbian forces.
2:00
BiH Council of Ministers held a session today. One of main conclusions was that the CoM should hold future sessions only in the Joint Institutions building. Serb representatives in the CoM, displeased by this decision, left the session and it was continued as a consultative session.
1:30
BiH HoR will hold session tomorrow. Main items on the agenda will be, among other issues, confirmation of appointment of CoM Co-chairmen and Vice Chairman, the draft Law on the State Anthem Chairman of the HoR, Genjac said in his interview for BiH TV that he expect the HoR to confirm appointment of CoM Co-chairmen and Vice Chairman, as well as the draft Law on the State Anthem, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on the Coat of Arms, and the Law on Flag.
1:30
The RS Government held a session in Banja Luka and decided that the RS delegates in the joint institutions participate at the sessions of the Government and to consider the issues on the agenda at the BiH Parliament HoR session – The Law on Citizenship, the Law on BiH Flag, the Law on BiH Anthem and the Law on Telecommunications. When it comes to the Law on BiH Anthem, Minister of Information Vasic said that the term “Anthem of BiH” should be used rather then “The State Anthem of BiH”.
1:00
SFOR Commander in BiH, Meigs met with the RS Premier and Co-president, as well as MUP Minister, Novic. General Meigs did not address to the press after these meetings, which were held behind the (firmly) closed doors. RS Co-president Cabinet made an announcement and said that main issues of the meeting with the Co-president Sarovic were co-operation of the RS and SFOR, regarding the trade between the two entities, normalisation of situation in Srebrenica and more engagement of USAID in local development. The Serb side again demanded from SFOR not to violate their mandate during arrest of war crimes indictees in the RS. The RS Designate Miljus said that he has an intention to organise the Third Congress of the Independent Social Democrats party in Banja Luka Saturday, and added that he will propose himself as the candidate for the president of this party as well as the present President of this party, the RS Premier, Dodik. Miljus also announced that before the elections for the President of the party, he will not expose the compromising documentation which could severely charge Milorad Dodik.
2:00
IPTF demands from the RS authorities to discharge head of the Public Security Centre, Vukovic and Chief of Crime-Police Camura, replaced by IPTF Commissar on December 18. UN spokesperson Moore said that the demand was addressed because of participation of police officials in harassment of witnesses in the case of murder of Srdjan Knezevic n August 7 1998.
1:00
At the press conference organised by SFOR and UNHCR in Livno, the main issue was problems regarding appointment of Croat generals. SFOR spokesman said that despite of agreement signed on January 13 between SFOR and the BiH Federation Ministry of Defence, SFOR still did not receive all documents regarding their appointment.
1:30
In the “Subject of the Newscast” coverage, BiH TV discovered details of OHR proposal for Zepce that were kept secret, on how to find an agreeable solution for this town. OHR spokesperson said that the International Community will make another attempt to present its standpoints and if it is not accepted then, local population and local politicians will have to find almost do not exist, while Parallel Cantonal authorities of Zepce, or translated the Herceg Bosna authorities are more than vital). Stiglmeyer said that the change of municipal borders is demanded, but not on ethnic basis and not in order to recognise the present situation in the field, but it would include Croat villages in Zepce, so Croats would have a “fair” majority of 52%, but only 50% participation in the administration, in order to avoid domination of any nation. Stiglmeyer also added that no sanctions were considered so far, but should a solution be reached, many investments would surely arrive to Zepce.
3:00