23 January 98, 19:30
Self declared ‘Serb Adolf’ (Goran Jelisic) was arrested yesterday in Bijeljina, and transferred to the Hague Prison. Hague Justice, Arbour praised SFOR’s initiative, and appealed to indictees to surrender to the ICTY voluntarily. The US President, Clinton congratulated the SFOR members who took part in the action of arrest. US officials consider that yesterday’s action was necessary because the Serb authorities are not willing to or capable of extraditing war criminals. SFOR spokesman Garnaud gave details of the arrest, saying that minor resistance was showed, but SFOR soldiers managed to disarm Jelisic of his 9mm handgun. UN Spokesman Ivanko said that the first hearing on Monday will be a public one, adding that RS media reported on the event with no comments. NATO Secretary General, Solana said that Jelisic’s arrest is very important, and that NATO will proceed with its actions.
4:00
The House of Representatives finished its two day session. HoR discussed the matter of the Federation budget, which is assessed to be 844 million DEM. The draft Criminal Law was also adopted, as well as the Law on Insolvency and Liquidation.
2:00
BiH President Izetbegovic talked to the Turkish delegation, led by People’s Assembly President, Cetin. The main subjects of the discussion were the bilateral cooperation and strengthening of relations between the two countries. BiH Presidency Member Zubak stressed the great Turkish contribution to rebuilding of reconciliation between Bosniaks and Croats in BiH.
2:00
After he has judged the new BiH currency, the HR Westendorp announced the presentation of the new joint registration plates for February 2. A meeting was held at the OHR with the presence of MUP representatives from both entities, SFOR, UN and OHR, as well as the ministers of internal affairs of all 10 cantons. The meeting was chaired by Westendorp with the only subject the new registration plates.
2:00
The new OSCE mission chief, Ambassador Dario was received by the BiH President Izetbegovic. The main item on the agenda was the implementation of the local elections results . Dario also met with Zubak, discussing human rights, preparations for September elections and return of refugees.
1:30
UNHCR spokeswoman, Quentier announced the UNHCR plan which covers the return of 220.000 people to BiH in 1998. BiH Federation Government held a session and adopted the schedule of the Federation government business for 1998. The main tasks of the Government are determined starting from the basic regulations of the Dayton Agreement, as well as the contracts concluded because of the DPA implementation.
2:00
The City Government of Mostar held a session, discussing the matter of the gas station, whose reconstruction was banned in the past several days by the West Mostar police, and, in addition, economy, privatization and other technical matters regarding the improvement of the Mostar citizens’ living conditions. Vice-Mayor, Prskalo said that the works on the ‘Energopetrol’ gas station should be ceased until the solution is reached, while Mayor Orucevic said that the final opinion about the case should be given by the Federal Government.
2:00
CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic held a press conference, announcing details of the BiH delegation visit to Turkey. Silajdzic said that two inter-state contracts were signed in Turkey. One is concerning the protection of the investments, and road traffic, and the other one is about credits for the ‘Agrokomerc’ company. Silajdzic also commented on the question whether the Aluminum Factory in Mostar is an Croatian enterprise or of Herceg Bosna, or BiH Federation, saying that he replied this enterprise is the State property, although it is not currently in the possession of BiH. Silajdzic added that this situation should be changed by Dayton, and not to be legalized by it. Silajdzic also added that the clear discrimination is present in BiH, because the citizens of one entity do net have the same rights in the other one, giving an example of Zvornik and Bijeljina, where Bosniaks still cannot return.
2:30
BiH TV news also covered the Law on Privatization, explaining the details from the law including the terms of privatization, and citizens’ accounts in the bank. It is expected that the privatization process might start by May 1998, and the citizens accounts will also cover the certificates of the old foreign currencies savings.
2:00
At the meeting of international organizations engaged in BiH, held in Brussels, the matter of refugee return was also discussed. European Union representative Van den Broek said that the return remained the key matter of any serious implementation of the DPA, general stability and economic recovery of BiH.
1:30