Sarajevo – In his capacity as OSCE Chairman and Polish Foreign Minister, Bronislaw Gerenek met in Sarajevo with the BiH Presidency Members. Their talks focused on implementation of the DPA. The Statement issued by Izetbegovic’s Office said that the presence of the IC is still necessary for peace keeping in BiH. Implementation of the election results, as well as freedom of media are the questions for which President Izetbegovic seeks assistance from the IC. He mentioned Srebrenica as a negative example of the DPA implementation. Gerenek together with with the BiH Foreign Minister signed an Agreement on help for reconstruction in BiH worth three billion dollars. The visa issue between two countries was also a topics on the agenda of the two Ministers.
2:30
Sarajevo – Alija Izetbegovic met with the Special American Envoy Robert Gelbard and Peter Sklar. Talks focusing on the analysis of the DPA implementation are under way, the President’s office informed.
0:30
Kosovo – Ending his three day mission to the Balkans in a bid to find a solution for the Kosovo crisis, American Envoy Richard Holbrooke, diplomatically announced that the progress was not made on the issue, but it could not be classified as a non success. Meanwhile, correspondents from Kosovo inform of stronger attacks by the Serb Army who are setting many houses on fire.
1:30
Sarajevo – Jadranko Prlic, BiH Foreign Minister talked with Jirzi Dinsbir, newly appointed Human Rights Rapporteur in BiH, about the Kosovo crisis and possible repercussions on BiH. France is demanding quick and energetic action by the IC with regard to Kosovo in order to avoid possible widening of the clashes. Contact Group Members will meet in Bonn the day after tomorrow to discuss the situation once more.
2:00
Mostar – The town of Mostar is still in shock after one person was killed and another heavily wounded in a shooting from the Western part of Mostar, following the Croatian football victory. Energetic demands for an investigation and punishing of the culprits poured from various organisations and individuals. Sir Martin Garrod, Regional OHR Head sent a letter to the H-N Governor and his Deputy Zeljko Obradovic and Fatima Leho saying that all who participated in the shooting bear the responsibility for the death and injuries of the citizens. A thorough investigation of the event, will be carried out.
1:30
Ejup Ganic, Federation President as well as the SDA Party separately condemned the attacks on the Bosniak returnees in Mostar, following the Croatian football victory. SDA placed the responsibility on Valentin Coric, Cantonal Minister for Interior Affairs, as well as all local officials who did nothing to prevent the shooting. Orchestrated radicalism of the national parties and apparently large quantities of arms and ammunition in the citizens possession put refugee return under question, said a BiH Liberal Party member.
1:30
Ortijes – Rasim Kadic, Federal Minister for Refugees, Displaced Persons and Welfare visited Ortijes, near Mostar, where a group of Serb national residents returned to their homes. Kadic said that he was especially pleased that among them were also young people, which he said was very encouraging.
1:00
Zenica – The Association of Expelled and Displaced Persons from Banja Luka based in Zenica issued a protest against giving land to the Serb refugees in their current living place. They demand recognition of the DPA according to which everybody must go back to the own home. Otherwise the Serbs in RS will be able to usurp houses and property of the previous Bosniak and Croat owners who, according to the laws in the Federation, must give back houses, land and apartments to the Serbs, reads the protest.
1:00
Tuzla – A meeting between Zvornik displaced persons with the Tuzla local authorities was bitter and tense. Returnees complained that the authorities in Tuzla do not register them. They were mostly residents of Bijeljina and Janja.
1:30