Association of Taxi Drivers of Sarajevo held peaceful demonstrations today, by blocking the centre of the town, and protesting against brutal murder of their colleague Denis Imamovic. Imamovic’s body was found yesterday in Bulozi in the RS and was escorted today to the Sarajevo City Morgue by Taxi Drivers Association members. Sarajevo Canton MUP held a press conference and said that they were not allowed to visit the crime scene despite approval from IPTF. Sarajevo MUP representatives also said that inter-entity criminal increased since the re-integration and that RS police often takes part in criminal activities. Taxi drivers also held a meeting with IPTF and UN representatives and demanded to be protected in their work. Letters of protest against the murder of Sarajevo taxi driver were also addressed by Association of RBiH Invalids of War, Sarajevo Region Chamber of Commerce, SDP BiH Sarajevo Cantonal Board, and the OHR.
6:00
Italian SFOR brigade soldiers confiscated large amounts of weapon and ammunition from the RS Army storage and residents of Pale and Sokolac, including 9 torpedoes.
0:30
After the OSCE Verification Mission in Kosovo announced the cease-fire, four new victims were registered in Mitrovica. NATO announced they are readiness to act should the violence in Kosovo continues. US mediator for Kosovo, Hill said that the next year in Kosovo would be the year of peace.
2:00
BiH Federation Premier Bicakcic held a press conference, reviewing the progress in this year, and presenting economic plans for the next year. Bicakcic also said that amount of average salary can be expected to increase for about 20% in the next year. Bicakcic estimated this year as successful, especially in the area of budget, export-import, reconstruction projects and abolishment of parallel institutions.
1:30
Maglaj Municipality Council held special session today. The main reason for the session was the letter from the OHR, which says that local authorities in Maglaj failed to create safe environment for return of national minorities. The letter also says that the main obstacle for return is existence of fundamentalist community that illegally occupies Bosnian Serb houses in the village of Bocinja. Maglaj Governor Mustajbasic said that they believe this cannot be the real cause for Serbs non-return, but that the causes are in other problems, that is, the lack of political will among Doboj authorities to support these returns, and now, the reasons have to be make, so Bocinja is the reason now. Councillors concluded that return must be continued.
2:30