24 February 98, 19:30
BiH Federation held a session today, determining the draft Law on Abolishing the Law on Abandoned Apartments, and the Law on Changes of the Law on Usage of BiH Flag and Coat of Arms. Federation Prime Minister Bicakcic said that the RS is also expected to pass similar law, and stressed that no one will remain on the street in accordance with this law.
2:00
HR deputy Schumacher met with the Sarajevo Canton Governor, Haracic, discussing the matters of return of refugees, functioning of the City Council and the Sarajevo Declaration implementation. Schumacher also praised Government decision on apartments.
2:00
Sarajevo Canton Assembly discussed the matters of return to Sarajevo in this year, and housing and communal activities plan and program. Both programs were adopted, and it was assessed that it is possible for 40.000 pre-war residents to return. It was also said that statistics for the last year show that about 48.000 people returned to Sarajevo in the last year.
2:00
Zenica-Doboj Canton authorities presented the plan for the refugee return to this canton, to representatives of OHR, UNHCR and IMG. The plan assesses return of 53.000 persons in its first stage, along with reconstruction of 13.600 housing facilities, currently not resided. The realization of the plan requires 247 million DEM.
2:00
Another war crime indictee, Simo Zaric surrendered to SFOR troops near Bosanski Samac. Zaric is third Bosnian Serb to surrender to the Hague in the past 10 days.
1:00
BiH President Izetbegovic met with the delegation of the ‘Srebrenica Mothers’ Organization. Izetbegovic promised to keep fighting for the truth about missing Srebrenicians, but also disapproved the methods of traffic blocking. Federation President, Ganic met with the British Ambassador Crawford, discussing the matter of Brcko and refugee
1:30
CoM Co-chariman Silajdzic addressed a letter to the ‘Washington Post’ on the text ‘Moslem’s Turning Away’ from February 22. Silajdzic firstly corrected the term ‘Moslem’ into ‘Bosniak’ as accorded with the Constitution. Replying that Bosniaks are less pluralist than Serbs and Croats, Silajdzic said that Croats and Serbs also live in the Federation, whereas far less Bosniaks and Croats live in the RS, and that all nations in the Federation have their sacral objects, whereas most of non-Orthodox sacral objects in RS were demolished. Answering the claim that Bosniak leadership is mainly consisted of former communists, Silajdzic says that this should not be worrying, considering that there is a large number of fascists who are trying to divide Bosnia by ethnic cleansing. Another announcement from Silajdzic’s cabinet, saying that CoM was informed about activities on opening the Brcko port, and that Yugoslav ships entered harbor. The announcement follows that it is worrying that international representatives were present, including the OHR, and that CoM was not officially informed about the event.
2:00
OHR Head for Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod expressed his disappointment with the failure of the Canton Government to adopt the proposal of City financing. UN and IPTF spokeswoman, Moore said that last night’s explosion in Donja Mahala was caused by an explosive object thrown from a car at a cafe, and that there was no fatalities. OSCE Head, Foley informed about yesterdays successful session of Capljina Municipality Council. After the international representatives press, Mostar Mayor, Orucevic severely criticized the role of the IC representatives who are securing the part of the road where the explosion occurred and asked for more engagement of SFOR and IPTF.
2:00
Stolac Municipality Council addressed a letter to HR Westendorp, informing him that a family house of Salko Djurian was burned on January 23, in the village of Borojevici.
1:00
HR Westendorp demanded from Croatian President Tudjman to replace the Stolac Mayor due to the recent incidents in Stolac.
1:30