OHR BiH TV News Summary, 24 February 1999

A brief story on plane crash in China opened the broadcast of the prime time TVBiH news. At least 64 persons were reported killed in the crash, the report said.
0:20

Rambouillet talks on Kosovo remained in the spotlight despite the break in the negotiations. TVBiH allocated some five minutes to a report designated to paint the overall picture. The story included three reports: from TVBIH reporter in Pristina, another journalist reported on the reactions from Belgrade and a summary of international reactions. File footage from Pristina illustrated the report from Pristina correspondent Imer Kljokoci who said the talks are valued in the province as a “partial diplomatic success.” He said that the Kosovo Albanians’ delegation was cooperative and the negotiations have brought international attention to the Kosovo issue. Kljokoci said in a 1:20 long report that this round of talks has just “concluded the first half-time,” of negotiations. TVBiH correspondent from Belgrade said that “a victory was celebrated,” in Yugoslav capital as its residents “breathe easier,” as the NATO air strikes threat was temporarily removed. The 2 minute report said that leading Yugoslav and Serbian politicians said that “an important first impulse has been given to the talks.” Serbian President Milan Milutinovic told reporters prior to his departure from Paris that for his government that NATO‘s participation in carrying out the agreement is “totally out of the question,” the reporter said. Summarizing international reactions TVBIH said that leading politicians expressed satisfaction with this round of talks quoting British Foreign Minister Robin Cook as saying that “90 percent of things have been agreed upon,” as well as a very optimistic statement of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that once the talks resume it “will result in a final agreement.”
5:00

Carrying a brief agency report TVBiH said that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman appointed Damir Zoric as the new Croatian ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
0:20

Both Houses (Peoples and Representatives) of the BiH federal parliament held a meeting Wednesday, TVBiH reported. In a very poorly worded and confused report, TVBiH said the meeting of the House of People’s session was initiated by an OHR letter which asked for a final ratification of the Agreement on Special Relations between Croatia and BiH. The session was cut short before the decision was reached. TVBIH said. After more than four hours of work the session of the House of Representatives ended with just the agenda being agreed upon. The Agreement on Special Agreements did not make it to the agenda as the representatives voted against it being discussed. The meeting will continue Thursday, TV said.
2:30

TVBiH Sarajevo-based reporter Raska Denjalic reported live from Banja Luka on the session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska. She said that the meeting was held behind closed doors and very little to none information was offered to journalists. As footage from the opening of the session was aired the reporter said journalists were promised a statement will be issued once the session was over. At the end of the news she went on air again saying the session was over and no statement was released.
2:00

Carrying a short report from SDP pressers TVBiH said that Zlatko Lagumdjija, head of SDP told reporters his party will, in next two years, create a completely new party program.
0:20

For TVBiH one of the most important issues of the HDZ presser was Jadranko Prlic’s statement on the issue of the “third entity.” None of Croat officials mentioned third entity in BiH, Prlic told reporters. He added that this was invented by those who want to eliminate all discussions on the position of Croats in BiH, TV, said. Prlic said his party will within two weeks launch a plan of measures to improve the position of Croats in Bosnia and thus encourage Croats for greater devotion to BiH Ivo Andric Luzanski, President of BiH federation and HDZ member, commenting the reconstruction of TVBiH said that there should be two channels – one of them should satisfy Croat people and their needs in Bosnia.
1:00

Yet another presser found its way to TVBiH prime time news. Discussing media and new licenses Dieter Lorraine, IMC spokesman among other things told journalist that Mostar-based television Erotel is authorized for delayed airing of HRT program only till the new federal TV is established.
2:00

TVBiH reporter read parts of Alija Izetbegovic’s interview to Sarajevo daily Dnevni Avaz’s Thursday edition. Acting once again as the voice of SDA, TVBiH aired the interview which in essence is Izetbegovic’s response to Croat member of BiH Presidency Ante Jelavic on his comments to Izetbegovic’s initiative on the return of refugees to Banja Luka Mostar and Sarajevo.