The regional Conference for Return was held today in Banja Luka. OHR and UNHCR organised the conference, and the main objective was achieved – to speed the return of refugees and displaced persons. Co-chairmen, HR Westendorp, UNHCR representative, Morris, HR deputy Bearpark, EC Ambassador, DeLang, US Ambassador Kauzlarich and German special envoy, Schlee confirmed full right of refugees to return to BiH and Croatia. They stressed that the return project is the most important of all and that every co-operation will be financially supported and every obstruction sanctioned. Events in Drvar and Derventa were severely condemned and all political parties’ representatives appealed to the people to return. Return from Croatia and FRY was also discussed. Croatian representative promised that Croatia would do its utmost to speed the return, while FRY representative mentioned 700.000 refugees in FRY and said that the new refugees are about to come. It was concluded, among other things, that return must be the priority of all authorities. Westendorp and Morris held a press conference and said that the IC will fully support the return, while such cases of obstruction like in Drvar and Derventa will not be tolerated.
7:00
Two-day international conference on military stabilisation programme began today in Sarajevo. The main objective of the conference is to inform all relevant sides about results of the ‘Equip and Train’ programme, and conditions for its implementation. The conference was held in the presence of BiH President Izetbegovic, Presidency member Zubak, BiH Minister of Defence Jelovic and US Special Envoy for Stabilisation in Balkans, Perdue. Perdue said that Federation army achieved a great progress in this programme and that this is not the case in the RS.
3:30
BH President Izetbegovic met with the EC Director for Political Affairs, Furer and his deputy Lorence. The main subject of the discussion was BiH entry to the European Council.
1:00
BH joint institutions will receive the budget in the amount of 183 million DEM, as decided by both Houses of the BiH Parliament. The Law on BiH Institutions Budget was adopted as well as international obligations of BiH for this year. Serb representatives did not agree to discuss the matters of citizenship, flag and direct foreign investments. Serb representatives also did not agree to discuss the law that was adopted yesterday, on actions of relevant authorities in the procedure of penalty for war criminals.
3:00
CoM Minister for Economy and Foreign Trade, Kurtovic said that Federal Reserves Directorate was working properly and according to the law, while Kurtoviic was the head, and that there is necessary documentation to approve this.
1:30
International Community Special Mediator for Matters of Succession of the property of former Yugoslavia, Sir Arthur Watts chaired the negotiations on succession held today in Sarajevo. FRY reps did not agree with the date of succession and said that FRY is the exclusive successor of former Yugoslavia. Sir Arthur Watts also proposed international arbitration that would resolve the problem of SFRY succession.
2:30
German Minister for Economic Development, Spranger visited BiH today. Spranger met with highest BiH officials in Sarajevo and Tuzla and discussed the matter of aid that comes to Bosnia through the EU. Spranger also said that delaying of aid distribution in Brussels in unacceptable. Spranger also met with CoM Minister for Economy and Foreign Trade, Kurtovic. The main subjects of the discussion were relations between two countries and privatisation, as well as refugee return. In this regard, Spranger said that refugees should be enabled to return to other parts of BH as well, where they did not live before the war. Answering journalists’ question if Germany is changing its standpoint towards BiH, Spranger said that it is a fact that all refugees cannot return to their homes, and that this would happen only if Tudjman and Dodik would fulfil their obligations.
3:30
NATO Council in Brussels approved the plan for new troops after SFOR mission is over. It was said that the plan might be discussed tomorrow, and adoption might follow on May 6. The plan anticipates staying of current SFOR mission until elections in September. The council also anticipated decreasing number of soldiers if the situation allows.
1:30
- UN Special Envoy Rehn, IPTF Commissar, Monk and local authority representatives signed agreement on police restructuring in Livno today. SFOR removed barricades from the Doboj Tuzla road last night. As announced by IPTF spokesperson Agnelli, the situation is peaceful and SFOR and IPTF are patrolling the area. Last night’s removal of barricades is another reminding of the IC and Banja Luka Conference as well that Bosniask will patiently wait for final start of return to their homes.
1:30