28 trucks of goods were confiscated in the action carried out by BiH Federation and the RS customs offices, accompanied with CAFAO. The imported goods were not charged for taxes and customs tariffs. The values of non paid obligations is about 40 million DEM.
2:00
According to today’s estimates of the situation in Kosovo, the chances for military intervention are 50:50. It could be said that Milosevic has been given a second chance thanks to Russia, who insisted on political solution of the crisis. US Special Envoy, Hoolbroke arrived to Belgrade to warn Milosevic for the last time to obey the demands of the International Community. The most probable option of the NATO seems to be a limited action, alternated with peace periods for talks. Kosovo Liberation Army asked a cease-fire today. Kosovo Albanians leader Rugova said that Kosovo has the same rights for separation just like all other former Yugoslav republics.
2:00
The constitutional commission of the Federation parliamentary House of Representatives is expected on Friday to consider the issue of harmony between the BiH and entities’ constitutions, at the request of the BiH Constitutional Court. The court asked for the commission’s opinion in response to a request by Chairman of the BiH Presidency Izetbegovic to evaluate the harmonisation of the constitutions.
1:30
With the adoption of a final statement emphasising a need for re-organisation of the World Bank and the IMF the annual meeting of the world’s two leading financial institutions concluded on Friday in Washington, a press release from the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations said. The BiH delegation, which attended the session, met today with IMF First Deputy Director Fisher to discuss the conditions BiH had to create in order to reach a more suitable arrangement with the IMF than the current Stand-By agreement. According to Fisher, a new arrangement is possible, but only if BiH liquidates the National Bank and reaches an agreement with the Paris Club of Creditors.
1:30
IPTF Commissioner Monk on Thursday revoked, in conjunction with the UN special envoy, Rehn, the certificate for the head of Capljina Police Administration, Buntic. Spokesperson for the UN, Moore told a press conference held today in Sarajevo that the IPTF had investigated Buntic’s behaviour on Oct. 3, when a Bosniak official and two policemen were detained. According to Moore, the investigation showed that Buntic ordered the Capljina policemen to beat up the Bosniak official and a policeman. After the incident, the official was released, while two policemen were kept in prison.
1:30
Exhumation of a mass grave near Zvornik continued today. 179 victims were exhumed today (according to anchor Belmin Karamehmedovic, while reporter from TPK, Salih Brkic said 170 bodies). The bodies were in plastic bags, and court experts said that the bags and the way the victims were buried indicate a great deal of possibility that former Yugoslav army (JNA) might have committed this crime.
1:30
An explosion occurred yesterday in the military storage of ammunition, in the Siseta barracks near Gorazde. One soldier was wounded in the explosion and three soldiers are considered missing.
1:00
HR Westendorp sent a message to all individuals holding public office in BiH, calling on them to refrain from publicly taking sides, or inciting the population to take sides, should action be taken by the international community in the event of further deterioration of the situation in Kosovo, according to Deputy HR Haselock. “Statements or reactions by any official, inciting citizens to violence, will not be tolerated by the international community. The High Representative will not hesitate to take action against anyone in breach of this principle” Haselock told a press conference held on Friday in Sarajevo.
1:30
US Ambassador Kauzlarich met with the RS Premier Dodik. After the meeting, Kauzlarich said his Government will support all who support Dayton. Kauzlarich also emphasised that his Government will also support Premier Dodik’s government and the “Sloga” coalition, and that US would like to see “Sloga” remain together. Kauzlarich also expressed his concern regarding the statements of certain SDS and Radicals officials regarding the possibility of vengeance in the case of NATO strikes in Kosovo. Kauzlarich also met with the RS President Plavsic and said that the main issue of discussion was to ensure the Kosovo crisis has no influence on the RS.
1:30
Reactions to HR Westendorp’s decision to replace SDS Presidency Co-chairman Cavic: “Not even a leader, not to mention ordinary clerk of the UN has no right to make such decision” said Serb Party for Krajina and Posavina President Lazarevic. President of the Democratic Party for Banja Luka and Krajina, Spiric said that behind this Westendorp’s decision there is an intention of complicating the political situation in the RS, as well as the further Radicalisation of Radicals and SDS in order to make the space for the “Sloga” and CDU coalition to form the government.
1:30
Long time Journalist of the RTV BiH Senad Hadzifejzovic was appointed today for the RTV BiH Editor in Chief. Hadzifejzovic was appointed by the decision of the RTV BiH General Manager Purivatra. Hadzifejzovic started immediate conversations about improvement of RTV BiH informative programme, along with International Advisor Perovic.
1:30