26 December 97, 19:30
Sarajevo – At the SDA traditional New Year’s Press Conference, its president Alija Izetbegovic dealt briefly with the party’s achievements in the past year and then explained the plans for the party’s actions for the coming year. I think that we were successfully resisting those who, by obstructing the state common institutions, tried to divide BiH expecting that the IC would drop the hope of a unified BiH, Izetbegovic said. The main strategic aim of the party in the next year is further building of the unified and democratic country and protecting the Bosniak people’s identity. We are not demanding anything more than what has been agreed in the DPA, but we are not ready to take anything less than that. The DPA has positive potential relating to the statehood of BiH, Izetbegovic added. He supported those powers in RS which are ready to: fulfil the obligations deriving from the DPA, work further on the refugee return issue, fight for a united Mostar, oppose Serb, Croat and Moslem extremism, support reconciliation, as well as professionalism in media so that instead of hatred and sensationalism, they expand truth, safeguard full transparency of the public income and expenditure, etc. AI answered journalists question for a long time at the end of the conference.
3:30
Talking at the UBSD party Presser today, Sejfudin Tokic, Executive Board President said that an aim of the party is the gathering of democratic opposition and non governmental organisations and individuals into the democratic alternative, strengthening of social democracy as the only alternative to the ruling national oligarchies and providing conditions for the normalisation of life, as well as including BiH in the European and world integration processes. Concerning refugee return, he said that a motto of the UBSD is: the politics which drove people away will not help them to come back.
1:30
Representatives of the main faiths in BiH attended the traditional Christmas reception in the Archibishopric of Vrhbosna. Present were also Alija Izetbegovic, BiH Presidency Chairman, other BiH and Federation politicians, as well as members of the diplomatic corps. Follows footage of the reception with Cardinal Puljic expressing his concerns about various issues.
2:30
The traditional Christmas reception was held today in the hall King Tomislav in Zenica. From the mass which bishop Komarica held in Banja Luka, the Catholic informative Agency stressed the part in which he talks of the expelled Banja Luka Catholics.
1:30
RS President Biljana Plavsic suggested Mladen Ivanic, professor at the Banja Luka Economic Faculty who is not a member of any party, as the one mandated for the new Government, ONASA announced. carrying SRNA information relating to sources close to Plavsic’s Office. An agreement on this appointment was achieved at the meeting between Plavsic, Radisic (Socialist party) and Dodik (Independent Democrat party). They expect that the deputies of the BiH Coalition will support their suggestion.
2:00
Quoting Radio France International Agency, Bosna Link informed that the SDS ultra-nationalists and their allies from SRS are announcing strong clashes at tomorrow Assembly’s Session.
0:30
Around 18.000 education employees in RS began a strike today.
Tuzla – Citing Deutsche Welle, BH Press informs that Andrea Agnelli, IPTF Spokesman, accused the Croats from Zepce for preventing Bosniaks from returning to their homes. Using guns, the Croats stopped a group of Bosniaks from repairing their homes and five armed persons opened fire, Agnelli told the media.
1:00