31.10.2000

OHR BiH TV News Summary, 31 October 2000

TV BiH News Headlines:

  • Petritsch extends deadline to submit applications for property claims (00:39)
  • Workers at Bihac Trgovina continue hunger strike for eighth day
  • Several hundred workers protest in streets of Kladanj demanding their back salaries (00:22)
  • BiH Central Bank holds roundtable in Sarajevo on occasion of World Savings Day (02:35)
  • Prlic signs agreement on bilateral cooperation between BiH and Sweden in Stockholm on Tuesday (00:26)
  • USAID finances project to reconstruct water supply system in Tuzla
  • Petritsch meets representatives of IDIS, NGO working on development of human rights in countries of ex-Yugoslavia (01:36)
  • Petritsch meets Gacko mayor, chief of police and other officials for talks on implementation of Annex 7 in this municipality (01:29)
  • OSCE says announced Croat referendum nothing but HDZ political manipulation (01:53)
  • Petritsch says referendums can be organized only by state institutions not political parties (01:21)
  • EU waives customs duties on 95% of BiH exports effective as of 1 November (00:34)
  • World news
  • UNHCR allocates new funds to help refugees in BiH before winter
  • Serb refugees return to villages of Jelasinovci and Bijista in Sanski Most Municipality (01:10)
  • BiH National and University Library marks 55th anniversary (02:08)
  • OHR condemns Sarajevo weekly Ljiljan article claiming RTV BiH journalist was fired for posing for SDA election poster as unprofessional
  • Referendum will take place and no OSCE decision can stop it – Ante Jelavic (00:53)
  • Croat National Council (HNV) BiH condemns HDZ BiH decision to hold Croat referendum, describing it as political manipulation (00:58)
  • Party for BiH President Silajdzic meets BiH Federation Army Commander Atif Dudakovic in Sarajevo (00:15)
  • Party for BiH holds election rally in Novi Travnik (00:55)
  • Elections on 11 November will show whether obstacles in minds of BiH citizens have been removed or not – Lagumdzija at SDP BiH election rally in Mostar (01:02)
  • BPS promotes candidates at open roundtable in Ilijas (00:35)
  • SDA stands for traditional family values – SDA Central Podrinje Board at open roundtable in Tuzla (00:56)
  • List of independent candidates Radom za boljitak accuses Herzegovina-Neretva Canton authorities of election vandalism as police allegedly offered protection to persons destroying List’s election posters
  • RS Constitutional Court decision on RS Government politically motivated – SPRS (00:17)
  • If nationalist parties win BiH elections, IC will revise Dayton agreement and dismantle entities – Zarko Krsmanovic, SNSD candidate for RS National Assembly, in Pale (00:18)
  • Fierce, ongoing, political battle between nationalist forces and those of one-track politics [political conformists] – BiH Republicans press conference in Sarajevo (00:24)
  • Sports
  • Weather

TV BiH News Summary:

OSCE says announced Croat referendum nothing but HDZ political manipulation

01:53 The referendum announced by the All-Croat National Congress on Saturday is nothing but political chicanery aimed at diverting the attention of citizens from truly important issues, the OSCE said on Tuesday. At a press conference in Sarajevo on Monday, spokesman Luke Zahner stated that the referendum violates PEC Rules and Regulations regarding the election campaign media blackout. Whether or not there will be any action regarding this ‘expression of opinion’ (as the OSCE refers to the referendum) largely depends on whether the organizations involved violate the PEC rules. “The parties know what to expect if that happens” asserted Zahner. The OSCE Mission to BiH is closely monitoring preparations for the referendum but will be cautious about taking any concrete steps at this point since any interference might favor certain political parties.

Petritsch says referendums can be organized only by state institutions not political parties (01:21)

High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch stated in Gacko on Tuesday that referendums could be organized by state institutions, but not by a political party. The announced referendum can only be viewed as an HDZ BiH attempt to measure its support. Petritsch appealed to BiH Croats to rely on BiH state institutions and support the Dayton peace accords. Regarding eventual sanctions against the parties involved in the referendum, Petritsch merely stressed that no political propaganda will be allowed in BiH on Election Day (11 November).