Two-day International Conference on the implementation of the “Equip and Train” programme was finished today in Sarajevo. The joint assessment of organisers and participants was that the conference was successful, as said by Federation Minister of Defence, Jelavic, who said that the presentation of results of “Equip and Train” programme was carried out and further aims of Federation army development were also determined. BH Army General Delic said the expectations are that international support for this programme will continue, and that other countries will also support the programme. Federation Army commander deputy, Budimir had a remark saying that he was disappointed because there was no international representatives of the western countries who have the leading role when it comes to the DPA, and peace keeping troops in BH. US Special Envoy for Military stabilisation, Perdue also spoke at the conference and said that the success of the conference could also be seen in presented abilities of the Federation army. He also stressed that the RS still has the advantage in leading and commanding the army, as well as with heavy artillery and combat aircraft. Perdue stressed his support to the RS army and Yugoslav army, and said that the RS Army is still a threat and will remain a threat until the DPA is implemented.
7:00
Meeting of the Contact Group was held today in Rome, in order to try to achieve to find a joint standpoint for resolving the Kosovo crisis. The French Government asked for additional pressure from the International Community in order to prevent the worsening of situation in Kosovo. During the meeting, about 400 Albanians demonstrated in the front of the building and asked for decisive action for preventing the crisis to escalate. USA representatives stated before that they are ready to impose their own sanctions if the CG does not agree about US proposal at the meeting. US representatives came with a demand addressed to the rest of the CG members to agree about freezing Yugoslav assets abroad, and to ban the trade with Yugoslavia if the official Belgrade does not agree to negotiate.
4:00
After recent incidents in Derventa and Drvar, Zubak’s cabinet representative, Raguz addressed a letter to HR deputies, Klein and Schumacher, in which he demands the replacement of Derventa Police chief and municipality Governor, and establishment of the joint multi-national police. Raguz added that replacement of the Governor and police chief, and establishment of the joint police would show that OHR does not have double standards and different criteria in the same or similar events in different areas.
1:30
Reactions to the Banja Luka conference started to arrive today. CoM Co-chairman reacted to the statement of the Croatian FA Minister, Granic, that is in regard with relations between Croatia and the RS. Silajdzic addressed a protest letter to the Croatian Prime Minister, and said that the Croatian Government is going around the CoM, by establishing direct relations with entities. Silajdzic also warns the Croatian Government that such agreements are opposite DPA.
1:30
Association of refugees of Tuzla/Podrinje Canton held a press conference and said that nothing concrete has been done, and symposium on refugee return was not organised. The association protested, because there was no representatives from Podrinje, because none of the Podrinje towns is open, and because there is no organised, and synchronised actions by the authorities and the IC in Podrinje. Representatives from Janja condemned attack on Mile Marceta and said they will remain persistent in implementation of the programme Drvar to Drvar citizens and Janja to Janja citizens.
2:00
Croat Peasants Party praised the Banja Luka conference, but also expressed their concern about the implementation of the results. CPP President Simic said that the recent events in Drvar and Derventa were not focused enough.
1:30
Zenica/Doboj Canton MUP announced that institutions of former Croat republic of Herceg Bosna are still active on the areas of Zepce, Novi Seher and Maglaj. Police in Zepce and Novi Seher, under HVO control, is not connected with the system of Ze-Do Canton MUP. This police works illegally since the day of inauguration of multi-national canton police. It was also said that the HDZ Zepce supported these illegal police structures.
1:30