P>Negotiations of BiH delegation with the Paris Club began today in Paris. The first offer for BiH debt reduction from the Paris Club presented today is 67% for the period before 1982. For the period between 1982 and1992, the Paris Club proposed payment of debts during the next 6 years. BiH delegation refused this offer as opposite to what was agreed at the beginning of negotiations. HR Westendorp also supported BiH delegation at the negotiations and appealed to the Paris Club President to reduce BiH debt as much as possible.
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HR Westendorp will present his regularly report to the UN Security Council, on implementation of civilian part of DPA. In his report, Westendorp mentions progress made in the past three months in regard with RS Government consolidation, arrest of half war criminals from the indictment lists, and that election results have been successfully implemented in all except one municipality. The matter of refugee return appeared to be the most critical, especially in the RS. Westendorp, in an agreeing manner concludes that 1998 is not the only year of return and that it will last for years.
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Albanian sources in Kosovo reported that body count of 52 in the town of Orahovac is not final. Albanian sources also reported on 13.000 refugees from Orahovac with no food, water or medications, and that it is completely certain that the Serbian police has committed the biggest massacre so far in Kosovo. It was also said that the police has buried killed Albanians in two mass graves, and Serbian Police Captain, Sipka in Orahovac said that 223 persons were arrested.
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After war crime indictee Dokmanovic was found hanged in his Hague prison cell on June 19, an internal investigation has been conducted and determined that no negligent attitude was found, said ICTY spokesman Chartier. After yesterday’s arrest of indicted twin-brothers Banovic in Prijedor and after congratulations to SFOR for successfully conducted action, ICTY announced that arrested brothers Banovic are not indicted for war crimes. Chartier said that identification process proved these persons not to be Banovic brothers.
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Presidency member Zubak will meet with US high officials tomorrow. Main subject of his meeting will be situation in BiH and degree of the DPA implementation. Zubak also said that the part on refugee return will be especially discussed, considering its poor results so far.
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At the PIC Steering board meeting in Brussels, it was said that great progress was made in certain issues of the DPA implementation, but refugee return and joint institutions functioning are still disappointing facts.
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Croat refugees return to Bijelo Polje was discussed at the City Administration meeting in Mostar. OHR regional chief, Sir Martin Garrod said that the project covers returns to 120 Croat houses out of which 70 houses are inhabited with Bosniak refugees, mainly from Stolac and Capljina. UNHCR office head, Wright said that UNHCR will support return of all refugees and praised yesterday adopted Declaration on Return.
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Invalids of War held a special assembly session in Sarajevo. Invalids of War discussed the information on adoption of the Law on Rights of Invalids as the only subject at the session. After the session, the delegates assembled in front of the Federation Government building to read their demands in public and warned the government to change its standpoint or the Invalids of War will block the Federation Government building on August 3 this year.
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HR deputy Schumacher condemned yesterday’s decision of Serb authorities in Banja Luka to ban the funeral of Banja Luka Mufti. Schumacher said that he blames Banja Luka Mayor Umicevic and members of his party for the lack of mature attitude they shown in the situation.
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