28 persons, among which 23 babies and small children died last night in a fire burst in an orphanage in Manila, Philippines.
1:00
Yesterday’s arrest of Radoslav Krstic caused many reactions today. BiH Presidency Chairman Radisic said that the arrest might endanger democratisation, reconciliation process and even the upcoming events before the Madrid Conference. The RS President said that the arrest is not in favour of the Dayton. The US Administration praised the arrest. RTV BiH also publicly praising Krstic (person’s first name is not mentioned) for his achievements in the Srebrenica action.
2:00
English “Guardian” from November 27 1998, quoted OHR spokesperson Stiglmeyer, regarding the exhumations in Sarajevo, and said that the victims are Serb soldiers found at the front lines and even Serb patients, killed in the nearby Hospital. RTV BiH also interviewed Dr. Konjhodzic from the Sarajevo Clinical Centre who strongly refuted any of these statements, while Stiglmeyer said that those are the claims of Serb witnesses, reported to the RS Missing Persons Committee and that these data are not verified.
2:00
The RS Missing Persons Committee Co-chairman Ivancevic said that the RS MPC representatives have exhumed 81 bodies from five localities in Sarajevo in the period of Nov 26 – Dec 1. The Identification process will start within ten days, Ivancevic said.
1:00
Establishment of the BiH Parliament Assembly HoR was completed today, with election of the new Parliament leadership. Halid Genjac was elected as the Bosniak representative, and Mirko Banjac as the Serb representative, while neither of Croat candidates was elected for the post of the chairman.
2:00
HR Westendorp and OSCE Acting Mission Head Klingler resolved the issue of structure of Croat delegation, by approving the four HDZ candidates and canceling the mandate of the HSP candidate, Vrdoljak. The explanation for this decision is that Vrdoljak, as a delegate, has no basis for candidacy in election results.
0:30
OHR representatives repeated their intention regarding BiH in the next year. The Madrid Conference will be marked with reduction of aid to BiH, drastic forcing of return and especially strengthening of responsibility of local authorities. Haselock said that BiH has to prepare in the remaining period to live without foreign assistance. Haselock also strongly refuted claims that increase of HR Westendorp’s authority actually creates protectorate in BiH.
2:00
Three Kosovo Albanians were killed yesterday in Pristina. One of them is Kosovo Liberation Army commander from Podujevo, and a woman was wounded. The Serbian Media Centre reported on unknown attackers, while Kosovo Liberation Army political Representative Demaci accused Serb Security Authorities for this event. It was also reported that eight Albanians were killed near Albanian border in a conflict with Yugoslav Army border forces.
1:30
The Federation Government made decision to allocate 7 billion KM to citizens for the privatisation process in the form of general certificates.
1:30
HR Westendorp visited Banja Luka today, and met with Milorad Dodik and Dragan Kalinic. After the meeting with Dodik, Westendorp said that a positive step was made at the most recent Assembly session, by adopting the property laws. Westendorp also stressed interest of the International Community for co-operation with the RS for the benefit of the Serb people, but expressed his concern due to postponing of the RS Government. Westendorp added that Kalinic does not have the mandate, in accordance to votes, to be the designate for the RS Assembly, and that he should return his mandate. Westendorp also met with Dragan Kalinicand discussed establishment of the RS Government.
1:30
At the meeting of IPTF representatives with MUP representatives, the IPTF local HQ head said that the International Community is deeply concerned on the recent events in Stolac. Cantonal Minister of Police, Mandic said that situation in Stolac is normalising and that all traffic directions are free.
1:30
Coalition for Democratic and United BiH is organising an event called “Justice for Brcko” and appealed on all BiH citizens to support the peaceful rally that will take place at noon in front of the “Ferhadija” Mosque in Sarajevo and will go to the Eternal Flame. The rally is also scheduled for tomorrow in Tuzla.
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