Federation Parliament House of People held a session, and adopted the Law on protection from irradiation and the Law on employment of foreigners, while the Law on federal reserves was withdrawn until the next session.
1:30
Fikret Abdic gave a phone-interview for the RTV BiH, in which he said that he did not receive the information from the Hague Tribunal about approval to BiH to raise criminal charges against him, but has only received the information from one Presidency member’s advisor. Abdic also denied every responsibility and guilt in the possible charges against him, and said that this could be only a “fixed procedure”, for there was no investigation, or indictment. Presidency member Izetbegovic’s advisor Hajric said that BiH will demand extradition of Fikret Abdic from Croatia. Hajric explained that extradition will be demanded in accordance with the Special Relations agreement, since extradition of Croatian citizens is not covered by the Croatian Constitution. Approval for Abdic’s criminal prosecution is differently commented in Una/Sana Canton. Opinion that this “blunted the blade of responsibility and punishment of the man the most responsible for been in his camps, and about 100 witnesses testified about it.”
5:00
The RS Designate Brane Miljus will probably not receive necessary majority of votes, which suits OHR, who still sees Milorad Dodik at the place of the Designate. OSCE Ambassador Barry visited Banja Luka, and after his meeting with Dodik, said that the International Community supports Dodik’s candidacy for the Designate, for majority at the RS Assembly supports him. Barry also met with Assembly chairman, Djokic and the new Designate Miljus. Miljus said for Blegrade’s “Dnevni Telegraf” that “Dodik should not be leading the RS Government, but is supposed to be in jail, and if the US Administration already cares so much for Biljana Plavsic, they should take her to the States.” The International Community and OHR believe that Dodik should be appointed for the RS Designate, OHR spokesman Haselock said. Asked for how long will the International Community tolerate the crisis of executive authorities in this entity, Haselock did not answer specifically, but has only said, “deadlines are dangerous in this situation.”
3:00
New victims in Kosovo. BiH TV news anchor said that international monitors opened official investigation on alleged mass grave near Urosevac. Two Albanians were killed last night near Urosevac. Nine people were killed in Kosovo in the past five days, while OSCE Mission members said that these were the days of cease-fire in Kosovo.
2:00
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is based in Mostar as of yesterday, as covered by the Dayton agreement. It was said that this would improve work of the ministry and unify the education programme in the whole Federation.
1:30
OHR advisor for the media Haselock said that future Federal Television must assure the rights of all constituent nations, and must have joint management. He also said that reports of Croatian media on establishment of the Federation TV are wrong, for the International Community is working hard in order to balance the Croat community in the media are of BiH. Haselock also stressed practice of Croatian television broadcasting in BiH can be tolerated no longer.
1:00 BiH TV also brought Orthodox Bishop Nikolaj’s Christmas greeting to all Orthodox religion followers.