BiH Federation Parliament HoP held a session today. The main item on the agenda was information on results of the reconstruction program in the past year and the plan for1999. Croat representatives said that this plan is discriminatory for areas with Croat majority, that it contains invalid data and that the responsibility is on the Federal Government. HoP ceased the session early evening and rescheduled the session for tomorrow, during the discussion about the Pensions and Invalid Pensions Law.
5:00
Federal MUP held a press conference with the main subject issuing of the registration plates. After the visit of MUP delegation to the factory that produced registration plates. It was decided that the factory does not have the conditions to fulfill the production. Federation MUP cabinet chief, Arnautovic said that delivery of plates will not be finished before MUP pays the bill of 1.594 million DEM to the ‘FERB’ company for the first 200.000 plates. As said by Arnautovic, the bill, already signed by Minister Zilic, has also to be signed by his deputy Leutar, who refused it. Zilic’s deputy Leutar also addressed a letter to the HR Westendorp in which he informs him that he did not participate in process of preparation, making and distribution of the registration plates.
3:00
BiH TV Syndicate representatives held a meeting with the subject of BiH TV restructuring. It was said that everything was already determined and it will be done, as many other things in this country, and obviously, it will be carried out as decided by the HR. BiH TV. Syndicate also brought several conclusions in regard with the Memorandum of Understanding, proposed by OHR and said that BiH TV employees are approving the restructuring process, that the present BiH TV continuity must be enabled, that BiH TV Syndicate representative must be included in temporary managing board that will be appointed by the HR, that no employee in the BiH TV can be discharged without approval of the BiH TV Syndicate, that it must be clearly defined what is the “public function” of the BiH TV, how to finance it and how to carry out this financing, (example: why is BiH TV reporting from Federation and State Parliament sessions when they are not financing BiH TV). The Syndicate also supports full transparency of all public incomes, and demands to be clearly defined who will take and pay the debts of BiH TV made until 1992, and also demands from the HR to use his authority and immediately prohibit illegal broadcasting of HRT and FRY programs on the area of BiH via transmitters owned by BiH TV. The Syndicate concluded that BiH TV would adapt its production and program obligations in accordance with real financial possibilities if BiH TV is not restructured by June 1 1998.
4:00
BiH Independent Professional Journalists Union addressed a public announcement, saying that the Union supports BiH TV restructuring, which will contribute for this company to do journalist tasks professionally, and to be equally opened for all nations in BiH.
1:00
CoM Cochairman Silajdzic met with HR Westendorp, discussing the matters of the CoM functioning, and transformation of the state institutions.
0:30
BiH Press reported that RS Ministry of Information refuted the possibility of formation of joint BiH TV, as implicated by OHR representatives. The announcement further says that all their ideas about the joint BiH TV are from the arsenal of improvisations and irresponsible standouts of OHR representatives with treacherous intentions to change DPA.
1:00
BiH Presidency member Krajisnik said that OHR does not have the right of deciding on the joint information, because it is an exclusive jurisdiction of BiH entities. Krajisnik also said that there is a direct and rude revision of DPA in BiH and an attempt to use pressures to make the joint media space, although it is clearly said that it is the jurisdiction of BiH Federation and the RS.
1:00
The first Montenegro Airlines plane landed on Sarajevo Airport today. The plane carried high Montenegrian economic delegation that came to meet with BiH Federation representatives and discuss the matter of future BiH and Montenegro cooperation. The delegation also met with CoM Cochairman Silajdzic.
2:00
International mediator for BiH Schwartz-Schilling visited Stolac, in order to sign the Stolac Agreement on return of refugees, authorities functions and reconstruction, Stolac Mayor, Pazin refused to sign the agreement, saying that he needs more time for consultations.
2:00