News Headlines
- Petritsch and Barry dismiss 22 BiH officials in BiH
- Banja Luka Mayor Umicevic and Una-Sana Governor among officials dismissed by OHR and OSCE
- Decision sends clear message to BiH officials that obstructions will not be tolerated – Barry
- IC needs responsible BiH politicians as partners – Stiglmayer
- Petritsch informs NATO of decision
- Veladzic should not have been dismissed – Izetbegovic
- Stability Pact meets in Ljubljana to discuss human and minority rights
- Roundtable on appellate jurisdiction of BiH Constitutional Court
- BiH Federation House of Representatives adopts draft 2000 budget
- BiH Federation Privatization Agency opens office in Banja Luka
- Bicakcic and Dodik discuss harmonization of entity customs taxes
- Tudjman condition critical
- Yeltsin hospitalized
- UN Mission advises its personnel to undertake precautionary measures in order to prevent incidents following Petritsch and Barry decision – Koffman
- HDZ BiH condemns Petritsch and Barry decision on replacing 22 BiH officials, calls it surprising and unacceptable
- Tokic supports Petritsch and Barry decision on replacement
- Veladzic stated decision on his replacement was to remove of all who defended BiH and replace those ready to betray it
- Bicakcic supports Petritsch and Barry decision to replace Umicevic
- Zahiragic says reasons for his replacement totally unfounded
- Silajdzic meets with Hungarian Ambassador to BiH Kalman Kochis
- SDP considers it necessary to conclude procedure on bringing laws that will change deadlines for buying off apartments
- LBO considers law on Council of Ministers and election of its members must be accorded on legitimate way
- Liberal Party holds press conference
- Three-day seminar on BiH immigration takes place in Sarajevo
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News Summary
Petritsch and Barry dismiss 22 BiH officials in BiH
High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch and Head of OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Robert Barry dismissed 22 BiH officials on Monday for obstructing implementation of the Dayton Agreement and other illegal activities. In a public address, Petritsch explained the decision with the New York Declaration, recently signed by BiH Presidency members, which stated that there is no room in BiH politics for anti-Dayton forces that stand for hatred and division. Petritsch stressed that each individual case was closely scrutinized and it was determined whether officials had repeatedly violated laws and obstructed peace implementation in BiH. In order to join Europe, BiH needs a responsible government and Rule of Law, Petritsch stated. These are the preconditions for increased foreign investment in BiH and economic prosperity. “The dismissed officials were blocking your road to a better future” Petritsch concluded in his address to BiH citizens.
03:50
Decision sends clear message to BiH officials that obstructions will not be tolerated – Barry
In an interview with TV BiH on the latest OHR and OSCE decision to replace 22 officials in BiH, OSCE Head of Mission Robert Barry stressed that the decision will take immediate effect regardless of whether the affected officials accept it or not. If a dismissed official was directly elected, the next person on the list will replace him, Barry explained. He added that if the official was indirectly elected, it would up to the municipal or cantonal assembly to appoint a new person to that post. Barry said he hopes that the OHR and OSCE will not need to take any further such steps in the future because this was a clear message to all officials in BiH that no obstructions would be tolerated.
02:10
Petritsch informs NATO of decision to replace officials
High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch visited NATO HQ in Brussels on Monday and informed Secretary General George Robertson of his decision to dismiss 22 BiH officials. After the meeting with Robertson, Petritsch asserted that extremists in BiH are facing hard times. Petritsch received NATO‘s assurances of full support for all steps the OHR plans to make in BiH.
01:10
Veladzic should not have been dismissed – Izetbegovic
BiH Presidency Member Alija Izetbegovic welcomed the decisiveness of High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch and OSCE Ambassador Robert Barry in fighting extremists in BiH. However, Izetbegovic expressed his disapproval of the decision to dismiss Una-Sana Canton Governor Mirsad Veladzic. Izetbegovic stated that the Una-Sana Canton has implemented all election results, it is at the top of the list in BiH regarding refugee returns, and that there are Serb, Croat and SDP representatives in the cantonal executive authority. Izetbegovic stated that he expects the OHR and OSCE to change the part of the decision relating to Veladzic.
01:10
Bicakcic and Dodik discuss harmonization of entity customs taxes
BiH Federation Prime Minister Edhem Bicakcic and RS counterpart Milorad Dodik met in Banja Luka on Monday. The officials discussed the harmonization of customs taxes between the BiH Federation and RS. The entity governments will prepare a draft on harmonizing customs taxes and forward it to the BiH Council of Minister for review. Speaking about the new property laws, the Prime Ministers agreed that there is need for a law that would allow the exchange of tenant’s rights. They said this would enhance resolution of refugees and displaced persons’ problems.
02:02