29 December 97, 19:30
Sarajevo – Greek Defence Minister Apostolos Atanasios Cohazopuilos who visited BiH yesterday, paid a visit to the Greek soldiers serving with SFOR in the group Baluga, near Sarajevo. Minister Cohazopuilos held separate meetings with members of the BiH Presidency. He expressed the Greek decision to continue its participation in the DPA implementation in BiH.
2:00
Sarajevo – A ceremony of the formal rotation of the BiH Federation President Vladimir Soljic and his Deputy Ejup Ganic was held in Sarajevo today. With Ganic’s taking over the position of the Federation President, a member of the Bosniak people took over the presidential function for the first time since the establishment of the Federation. In his address, Soljic listed the tasks which were carried out in the Federation during the time he was in office. Expressing the key issues for the new year, Ganic pointed out that the Federal authority will especially insist on strengthening of the police, judiciary, army and a local self authority. One of the key priorities mentioned was refugee return. He also promised to support a strengthening of co-operation between the religious communities, and of the constitutional approach to the constituency of the Serb people in Federation and of the BiH State.
2:30
Sarajevo – The Federal Ministry for Internal Affairs held its large annual function at which the police work from the past year was analysed and the main tasks for the following year were agreed upon. Present were: Minister Mehmed Zilic and his Deputy Jozo Leutar, Cantonal Ministers and their Deputies, as well as the entire Collegia of the Federal Ministry. Zilic pointed out that the work of the Federal and Cantonal Ministries in discovering terrorists and other serious criminals, was very successful, especially if one keeps in mind the complex situation which was full of obstructions.
2:30
Tuzla – Thanks to excellent preparation, the Budget for the Tuzla Podrinje Canton for next year, worth 251 million convertible marks, went into practical effect today. With this, the payment for more than 14.800 employees has been secured, as has the covering of costs which fall into cantonal financing.
1:30
Travnik – At the Central Bosnian Canton Assembly Meeting, the deputies discussed three out of eight Agenda points. The draft laws and Constitution proposals were not discussed due to the non attendance of the majority of the Croat assembly members.
1:30
Sarajevo – The leaders of BiH firms Elektroprivreda and Energoinvest held Press Conferences today. The electrical distributor promised that the citizens will have enough electricity throughout the coming and future years. The prices will even be bearable, they said. Follows information of the financial needs to keep up such standards in the future. Energoinvest the second largest exporter in the ex-FRY, informed the public of its results in the local and foreign markets, pointing out that they doubled their exports in comparison with the year 1996.
2:00
Sarajevo – The BiH Trade Union representatives talked with journalists about the situation of workers and their families in 1997 and their hopes in coming year.
2:30