OHR BiH TV News Summary, 5 May 1999 - Office of the High Representative

Italian President Scalfaro visited Bosnia and Herzegovina
BiH Presidency discussed activities regarding the BiH entry to the Council of Europe
US President Clinton visited NATO HQ
NATO Supreme Commander said to US President Clinton that Yugoslav forces are facing destruction
After President Clinton’s visit, NATO representatives at the daily briefing underlined unity of the Alliance

An Italian news agency said that Kosovo Albanians leader Rugova has arrived to Rome today, along with his family. Italian Government Secretary who met Rugova at the airport said that Rugova and his family will be guests of the Italian Government.

Italian President Scalfaro and Italian Defence Minister visited BiH today, meeting with BiH Presidency members. President Scalfaro said that Italian politics toward BiH will not be changed, and that it will be intensified in the sense of favorable relations between the two countries.

2:30

BiH Presidency held a session, discussing BiH entry to the Council of Europe. The Presidency also discussed HR Westendorp’s letter regarding the problem of accommodation of refugees from FRY. Presidency member Izetbegovic’s advisor Mirza Hajric said that in this regard, the Presidency authorised Vasilije Zarkovic, Nudzeim Recica and Damir Ljubic to determine locations for refugee accommodation, in co-operation with the UNHCR.

2:30

US President Clinton visited NATO HQ, first time since beginning of the strikes. The purpose of his visit to Brussels and NATO base in Germany was to strengthen unity of Alliance members. President Clinton also met with NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, discussing diplomatic efforts that can be done regarding Kosovo. RTV BiH also brought a part of President Clinton’s speech held in NATO base in Germany.

5:00

Full length of the Kosovo events bloc was about 15 minutes, including statements from RTV correspondents from Belgrade and Podgorica with new updates on NATO targets.

BiH Presidency member Izetbegovic met today with HR Westendorp. Main topics of the meeting were problems, evolved from OHR decision on flats, as well as the issues of the upcoming donors conference. Carlos Westendorp also met with representatives of Croat people in BiH.

1:30

UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, Rehn visited Travnik. Main reason for her visit are problems in establishment of the joint police forces in Travnik.

2:00

OHR South spokesperson Chris Riley said that OHR is pleased that the issue of the Federal TV is being discussed at the Federation Parliament and that the certain progress was made. Riley also said that OHR loses the patience with elements within the HDZ and the SDA, who are concerned of losing the political control over the key media in the Federation. Riley added that the High Representatives is ready to impose the law, should the current approach to the problem remains the same. OHR and OSCE expressed their concern for Croatian “Globus” journalist, imprisoned in Montenegro.

1:30