OHR BiH TV News Summary, 25 Sept. 1997

Tomislavgrad – A heavy explosion shook the Dzudza-Dzafer’s Mosque in Tomislavgrad at about 1:10 this morning. The front part of the building is completely devastated including the interior. There was huge material damage, but no casualties. BiH Federation representatives, led by Federation Co-president Ganic, and Refugee Minister Kadic, visited the explosion site, accompanied by OHR representatives Clages and Jarvenpaa. Everyone present at the meeting with local authorities condemned the terrorist act. City Council President Topic reluctantly gave a statement to the press. Topic said that the action was carried out in order to jeopardise the joint life in Tomislavgrad, and the BiH Federation as a whole. Presidency member Zubak, HDZ President Rajic, and the Croatian Embassy also condemned the terrorist act.
2’30”

Bugojno – OHR representatives visited Bugojno, Gornji Vakuf and Prozor. Clages said that this visit was in honour of Ambassador Wagner and all of those who died for the peace process in BiH. It was decided that the peace process is progressing in the Central Bosnian Canton, and should be supported by all means. At the meeting with local authorities of Bugojno, the matter of joint police was also discussed. Clages pointed out the importance of speedy implementation of the election results. Similar subjects were also discussed in Gornji Vakuf and Prozor. Clages also said that full attention should be paid to resolving the problems in Her/Ner Canton as well, but he was answered by Sojic who said that these two cantons should not be involved together.
2’30”

New York – At the UN General Assembly in NY, BiH FA Minister Prlic met with his Israeli colleague Levy, discussing the matter of establishing the future relationships between the two countries. There has been some delay in this matter because of the Bosnian side. Talks with Arabic countries representatives and their advisers were also mentioned. (BiH TV news comment) BiH Ambassador to UN Sacirbegovic said that BiH was willing to establish diplomatic relationships with Israel, but two more decisions are missing. The BiH Presidency must make precise the terms of establishment, and announce the decision officially. Israeli military radio reported that diplomatic relationships between BiH and Israel will be established on Friday in NY.
2’30”

Sarajevo – Presidency member Zubak received the Hungarian Ambassador Kotsisz. The subject of the discussion was Hungarian political and economic interest.
1’00”

Sarajevo – Sarajevo Canton President Haracic met with the US Ambassador Kauzlarich, to discuss matters of the privatisation project in BiH, and refugee return. Haracic offered some ideas for those matters, and it was agreed that they should be considered by their next meeting, which has been was scheduled for the next week.
1’00”

Sarajevo – OSCE spokesman Foley announced that the counting of voters list has finished, except for those from Brcko. Foley also said that the 72 hour appellation term has begun, and that the official election results announcement was rescheduled for Tuesday or, more likely, Wednesday.
1’00”

Banja Luka – After the last nights agreement on Parliament and Presidential elections in RS, between Plavsic, Krajisnik and Milosevic, the Serbian chief of Security Stanisic, and RS President Plavsic made announcements. It is really rare when one of Milosevic’s closest men says that the DPA is irreplaceable and useful for the Serb people. (BiH TV news comment) Stanisic criticised the hard-liners loyal to war criminal Karadzic, for disturbing the DPA implementation. Plavsic said that it was agreed to resolve the RS crisis in a democratic manner – by Parliament and Presidential elections. Plavsic added that she was not afraid of the elections, and that it should be by the will of the people.
2’00”

Sarajevo – At the regular press conference held by IC representatives, it was clearly announced that war criminals will be arrested in a very short time. OHR spokesman Bullivant said that the clock is ticking, and that there will be no more time for war criminals. As announced previously, by UN spokesman Ivanko, accidentally or not, the main prosecutor of the ICTY Arbour is visiting BiH today. Ivanko said that a group of women from Srebrenica visited ICTY today.
1’00”