23 December 97, 19:30
The German Chancellor, Kohl visited BiH today accompanied by the German Defence Minister, Ruhe. The main aim of his trip was to visit the German SFOR troops. Kohl said that the German troops will remain in BiH as long as is necessary. Kohl also held separate meetings with BiH President Izetbegovic and other members of the Presidency. Izetbegovic presented two possible solutions for resolving the problem of refugees. One is that Croatia should allow the Knin Serbs to return in order to free 10.000 to 15.000 apartments. The other one is to make a joint plan by BiH Germany UNHCR and the EU which would determine the programme for the return of refugees in 1998. Kohl said that the financial situation regarding refugees in Germany is not questionable, and that money is not important. He added that Germany already allocated 16 billion DEM for refugees. Kohl also appealed on the Presidency members to work together on entry into Europe. Kohl also met HR Westendorp.
5:00
US media report on Clinton’s visit to BiH. Sarajevans see Clinton as the hero who stopped the war. – New York Times reports that Clinton came to Bosnia to visit the US soldiers and to shake up the Bosnians. US National Security Advisor Berger said that Clinton was very sharp and direct in his discussions with the BiH representatives. US Secretary of State, Albright said that Bosnians acknowledged that they have to carry out the greatest part of work, while the US is only here to assist. Krajisnik stated that his supports the DPA but stands for the Serb independence, which was not included in Dayton. Berger said that Krajisnik kept silent after the question concerning the extradition of persons indicted for war crimes, while Plavsic said: ‘It would be better for me not to comment on that’.
3:00
CoM session was held today at the OHR. The main subject were the conclusions from the Bonn conference. CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic said that it was agreed to form a working group which would establish the schedule for the next three months. Since the representatives could not agree on the Law on Customs, Westendorp passed this law, and Deputy HR Schumacher said that the law will become legislative from January 10. The CoM members also could not agree about the Law on Foreign Investments. The establishment of the Demining Commission was also discussed.
2:30
The BiH Federation Government held a session today, discussing, among other matters, the Law on Privatisation and the draft Law on New Municipalities. The Federation Prime-Minister Bicakcic explicitly said that the illegal privatisation process in BiH must be stopped. The Federation Government also determined the draft Law on New Municipalities.
3:00
The constitutive session of the Municipality Council was held today in Bosanski Petrovac. The new municipality Mayor is a member of the Coalition ‘Zavicaj’, Vid Jelicic, his deputy a CDU BiH representative, Enver Ferizovic. The President of the Council is Esad Mesic (CDU BiH), and his deputy, Vlado Salapura (Colaition ‘Zavicaj’).
2:00
The RS SDS and the Radical Party rescheduled the term for the new Parliament constitutive session, pre-scheduled by the HR. SDS and Radicals rescheduled the term for January 12. Plavsic said that every such obstruction is aimed against the people. HR appealed to the RS representatives to establish the new Parliament on December 27, and if not, the HR would use his authority.
2:00