Vice Minister of BiH Federation Ministry of Interior Jozo Leutar deceased last night at 3:40 in Sarajevo, the Clinical Centre of Sarajevo reported. Federal Ministry of Interior expressed their ddepest condolences to the Leutar family. Presidency member Jelavic addressed a telegram of condolences to the Leutar family, as well as Federation Premier Bicakcic, CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic, High Representative Carlos Westendorp with his deputies Klein and Schumacher.
2:00
After the downing of US Military Aircraft F-117 last night, the Alliance announced increased attacks in the forthcoming days. NATO spokesman Shea said today that the biggest humanitarian disaster in Europe after the WWII is impending in Kosovo. He also said that not only FRY military forces take part in ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, but also notorious Zeljko Raznatovic Arkan’s paramilitary formation “Tigers”. British Royal Airforce Commodore, Wilby confirmed that US Aircraft F-117 was downed last night at 19:45 about 30 miles west of Belgrade, that the pilot was recovered and transferred to NATO base in Aviano, but no causes of crash were confirmed.
3:00
US Envoy Hoolbroke visited Budapest and met with Russian Liberals representatives. At the occasion, Hoolbroke said that the USA does not change its position regarding NATO strikes on FRY, in the sense that there is a clear disagreement between the Russian Government and NATO. RTV BiH also brought a piece of Hoolbroke’s speech regarding importance of Hungary as a member of NATO.
2:00
US President Clinton expressed his satisfaction regarding successful action of F-117 pilot recovery. Clinton praised the work of the recovery team, but no further details were discovered. US Administration spokesman said that ethnic cleansing that is taking part in Kosovo is more brutal than the one in Bosnia, and reminds of Srebrenica and concentration camps.
2:00
About 50.000 expelled Albanians from Kosovo gathered at the Yugoslavia-Albania border, waiting to enter Albania. German Defence Minister, Scharping said that the presence of Yugoslav Army in Kosovo has caused a real genocide, and stressed that it has to be stopped. US Minister of Defence Robertson said that one of the most dreadful information is that Arkan and about 1000 of his men are near Pristina, and that the question is; who sent him, and who called him.
1:30
Detonations in Belgrade could be heard all during the day, although there was no air-raid sirens. However, no bombardment was reported, RTV BiH reporter from Belgrade said. Two missiles also stroke Podgorica today. No casualties were reported. Another protest meeting against NATO strikes was held in Podgorica today.
2:00
Two Yugoslav Army MIGs 29 were downed after violation of BiH air space. SFOR members have located remains of the second aircraft near Ugljevik early this morning. SFOR Mayor, Evans spokesman of the US First Cavalry Division stationed at the “Eagle” base near Tuzla said that SFOR‘s main task is peace keeping in Bosnia and that the recent incident with two Yugoslav MIGs should be seen in the light of this fact.
2:00
- ONASA reported that about 4500 Serbs returned to the Drvar municipality.
- Purchasing of apartments with residential permits commenced in Bugojno municipality.
RTV BiH brought coverage on return to Doboj village of Plane, in which there are two people; one of them a Serb, is congratulating Bajram holidays to his neighbour, a Bosniak returnee. RTV BiH reporter said that this is how Radovan Vajdic, a Serb from Croat municipality Usora congratulated Bajram to Meho Dizdarevic, returnee to Plane in the RS. Someone might find this scene pathetic, or an image of the Brotherhood and Unity times, or even, God forbid, Yugoslavia-like, but there is no State of BiH without things like this, whether someone like it or not. The life goes on, regardless of NATO bombs and Yugoslavia, RTV BiH reporter Hajrudin Redzovic said.
1:30