At least 2000 persons were killed and several thousand injured in disastrous earthquake that hit Columbia two days ago, rescue teams reported. It was also said that about 80.000 people remained homeless.
1:30
Heavy fighting was reported from Kosovo, in the region of Podujevo, about 30 km west of Pristina, including usage of heavy artillery. US President Clinton’s advisor for national security, Berger repeated President Clinton’s opinion that US forces should not be sent to Kosovo, except in case of previous achievement of peace agreement.
2:30
Continuance of the session on succession of former Yugoslavia property is expected to take place in Brussels tomorrow. Main item of tomorrow’s meeting will be the BiH subject. BiH delegation in Brussels said that the most recent proposal from Sir Arthur Watts is completely unacceptable.
1:30
After the total fiasco and failure of Brane Miljus, information about possible new candidate fo rteh RS designate Mladen Ivanic leaked in the media. BiH Presidency Chairman, Radisic met with US Ambassador Kauzlarich behind the closed door. Despite the lack of public announcement from the meeting, the RS media reported that main subjects of the meeting were the present situation in the RS and work of the BiH institutions. RS President Poplasen scheduled a meeting with heads of parliamentary parties and political clubs, in order to continue discussion about the new RS designate appointment. According to Belgrade media, and as carried by the RS media, Mladen Ivanic refuted all insinuations that he would be the new RS designate.
1:30
Negotiations about Zepce continued today in Zenica, on insisting of OHR representatives. OHR representative Gerald Knauss expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the negotiation process continues. Knaus said that elements for establishing the new administration should be determined by mid next month. Bosniak representatives said that OHR approach was somewhat more objective than before, but repeated that they have no mandate to negotiate about new borders, as well as that they are in unequal position in the negotiations and under pressure due to situation in the field.
2:00
Mediator for BiH Scwartz-Schilling visited Gacice and Vitez. Scwartz-Schilling said that progress in the area of return is now obvious and that the International Community should do its utmost to continue this trend, for the good will of all sides has been clearly shown.
2:00
600 employees of the Aluminum Works and “Soko” – Mostar held a meeting with the Trade Union of European Metallurgists, resolving of their problems is at hand. Aluminum Works and “Soko” Trade Union representatives informed their European colleagues about their primary right to work, and said that they were deprived of this right due to extreme leadership of these enterprises.
2:00
Regional OHR in Mostar made an announcement regarding the future Federal TV and HRT re-broadcasting in BiH. OHR spokesman Riley said that HRT does not represents Croats from Bosnia, not nearly enough and that Croat representatives themselves expressed the need to engage in establishment of the Federal Television.
1:30
Party for BiH severely protested against double standards of criteria the International Community applies in police reconstruction in the RS and the Federation. UN spokesperson Moore commented on the Party for BiH protest and said that the criteria are determined by conclusions of the Peace Implementation Council at the Luxembourg session, and UN Mission in BiH is implementing these conclusions.
1:00