24 November 97, 19:30
Sarajevo – One of the more important decisions at the Permanent Military Committee session which convened today, was a conclusion to sign an Agreement against the use of mines. Council members further discussed a suggestion to grant amnesty for all those who illegally keep arms in order to urge them to give them back. Discussion was held on BiH participation in the NATO program for securing a more stable peace throughout BiH. The Committee failed to agree on the decision concerning the appointment of BiH military attaches.
Following this meeting, the BiH Presidency session was held in order to harmonise standpoints on the Special Relations between BiH and Croatia, but without success. If we want to preserve BiH, we have to enable the special ties of the RS with FRY and of Federation with Croatia, Momcilo Krajisnik, Presidency member told the press. This has to be done with agreement of all three peoples and both entities. I myself will never participate in a decision which would have to be pressed on somebody – in this case on the Moslems, then there will be neither peace, nor special ties if Moslems-Bosniaks do not agree with it, he added. In a further statement Krajisnik said that he will never work against BiH although I was not happy about the BiH state, since we wished to have our own state and to be united with FRY, but if we have accepted DPA, I wish it to be implemented in all its aspects, Krajisnik said looking amiably into the camera.
4:30
Mostar – Sessions of all six municipalities were held in Mostar today. This is a result of an agreement between SDA, the Coalition for unified BiH, HDZ, OHR and OSCE top officials. In this way the implementation of the election results has started and distribution of posts was carried out according to an earlier agreement made with OHR and OSCE. The top ranking Mostar officials hailed the successful holding of the Municipal Councils meeting.
2:00
The parliamentary elections in RS were held in political surroundings far below democratic standards, a high OSCE Official said. According to the Robert Frowick’s information, around 70 per cent of voters turned out. Keeping in mind this fact, all speculations over a new round of voting have been dismissed. Yet, Momcilo Krajisnik speaks aloud of an SDS victory and media in RS inform on division of the votes between Pale and Banja Luka. Dr. Schumacher, HR Senior Deputy called on the RS authorities to establish a new Assembly according to the election results, which will function according to the Constitution. He pointed out that OHR will completely take over the role in implementation of the election results.
2:00
Sarajevo – Alija Izetbegovic, BiH Presidency Chairman congratulated the people of BiH on their National holiday – National Day. Follows a listing of other congratulations: BiH and international politicians and organisations. All officials who sent their congratulations, have done it for all BiH citizens despite the fact that it is not going to be celebrated in the whole country.
0:30
The news block called Topic of the day examines whether the process of privatisation is going to contribute to the reintegration of the economic system of the state or whether it will deepen its division.
1:30
Gradacac – Follows an example of very successful co-operation between BiH and RS production of tobacco.
1:30