France Press reported that the Hague Tribunal Deputy Prosecutor requested a life sentence for Dusan Tadic, who should be sentenced after the appeal period expires.
General Jacques Klein, the administrator of the UNTAES in Eastern Slavonia to date, was appointed as the new HR Westendorp’s Deputy today. Simon Haselock, the OHR Spokesman, said that HR Westendorp requested from the US to appoint a person who has insight to the situation in the region. Haselock quoted Westendorp’s statement on the occasion of Klein’s appointment, in which he had said that he ‘warmly welcomes the appointment of Jacques Klein, who will bring with him a great knowledge of the region, experience, and extraordinary achievements during his work as the interim administrator of Eastern Slavonia. I am looking forward to working with him in the months ahead.’ Haselock also said that Klein will be officially appointed as the HR Deputy at the UN HQ in New York today.
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Pale – SFOR Press Conference – The international community representatives strongly support RS President Plavsic and her presidential powers. The UNIPTF Spokesman Ivanko said that UN supports Plavsic and condemns the disrespect of the official policy of the RS President. OHR Spokesman, Haselock said that the OHR is deeply concerned because of the current political situation in the RS, adding that Ambassador Steiner is in contact with the RS officials all the time. SFOR representative said that SFOR intensified their patrolling especially after Plavsic’s request for protection late last night. Plavsic held another extraordinary press conference today, condemning Karadzic’s acts. Among other things, she said ironically that ‘Biljana Plavsic should have run for elections, been elected and become a puppet of the former RS president.’
The US diplomacy is rather interested in the RS current political situation. However, the State Department Spokesman said that they are not surprised by the fact that Karadzic is still the key player, adding that problems occurred when the RS decided not to implement the DPA. The US still keeps its position that the economic pressure is the only instrument of remedying the newly occurred situation.
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Sarajevo – The Federation Prime Minister, Bicakcic held a press conference and informed the media about the work of Government to date. Although he expressed his satisfaction with what has been done so far, he said that the Government and the ministries should work harder in the future, especially on establishment of the cantonal police, return of refugees, local elections, etc. He stressed that although the Federation met all the conditions for signing of the ‘stand by’ arrangement with the IMF, this will have to be postponed until September. The same report which was delivered today will be submitted to the Federation Parliament.
3:00
Sarajevo – The delegation of Federation MP’s met the Columbian Senate and discussed the reconstruction of BiH, and economic and democratisation issues. The Columbian Senate also met the Federation Vice-president Zivalj and discussed the issues of implementation of the DPA and protection of human rights.
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Mostar – the ‘Mostar 2004’ Workshop – As a result of the Islamic Conference recently held in Sarajevo, BiH President Izetbegovic sponsored a workshop that will work on reconstruction of the old town and the old bridge in Mostar. Mostar Deputy Mayor Orucevic opened the workshop meeting that was attended by high ranking internationals, BiH officials and members of the Islamic conference.
3:00
Summary SRT News
Pale – At a session which ended late last night the SDS Main Board reached decision related to the resolution of the current political and security situation in the RS. Members of the SDS Main Board have taken the view that the main reason for new developments in the RS lies in the unwillingness of RS President Plavsic to cooperate and resolve pending issues with other institutions of the state. The media conveyed in full a statement issued after the session. The lengthy statement maintains that from the beginning of Ms. Plavsic’s appointment to the presidential office, her views and policy-making have differed from that of a majority of the SDS members, which resulted in having two politics often in confrontation. Differences have grown deeper with time. Thus, the Main Board has rendered its support to Government’s position in regard to the issue of RS Interior Ministry and suspended all decisions made by the RS President. Ms. Plavsic has been requested to return to “the capital of the state” and “harmonize her actions with other state institutions based on determined policy lines subject to change by the RS National Assembly only”.Should President Plavsic choose not to meet this request, then the SDS Main Board would request her resignation and to delegate her competencies to Vice President Dragoljub Mirjanic, carries on the statement. But if the RS President does not agree to any of the above requests, the SDS Main Board will forward a motion to the RS Assembly to dismiss Ms.Plavsic from her office.
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Banja Luka – In response to decisions by the SDS Main Board, RS President Biljana Plavsic has addressed the press today. President Plavsic has negated most of allegations against her disclosed in the SDS Main Board’s conclusions, underlining that politics of the SDS and the entire RS had to be changed after the signing of the DPA (which has become obligatory as much as the RS Constitution). Commenting on other objections addressed to her work, she requested that the stated accusations be substantiated. As to prolongation of the arbitration and modification of the form P2 and decision on the ZOS, Plavsic said she could not assume responsibilities for these actions and decisions alone since a number of officials were familiar with proceedings and involved in decision-making. In addition, she denounced a claim that some foreign citizens were staff members of her cabinet, contending that these people are young and educated, and seem to be standing in somebody’s way. However, the RS President has not taken a clear position regarding the SDS Main Board’s conclusions, except that she has declared that she will continue to exercise her duties as provided for in the RS Constitutions.
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The Party of Independent Social-Democrats proposed to the RS President to dissolve the RS Parliament and the Government and call for parliamentary elections. The report critically commented on this proposal by saying that leader of the Social-Democrats Milorad Dodik has once again proved that those struggling for power will stop at nothing, even at the cost of having chaos and anarchy in the country.
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Asked to comment on Ms. Plavsic’s public appearance, Speaker of the RS National Assembly Dragan Kalinic stated that at this moment he could not accept a personal dual with the President due to the difficult situation in the country. In his statement, Kalinic maintained that Ms. Plavsic employed an unusual practice to discuss in public documents and agreements which are classified as state secrets. He added that Ms. Plavsic officially agreed to a proposal that sessions of the state institutions be held in Pale.
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Pale – The RS Government held a regular session today. The main topic on the agenda was the current situation in the RS. After the session, Government issued a statement related to a certain number of companies which RS President Biljana Plavsic mentioned as being involved in illegal dealings. Quoting in detail factual data on the company Centrex and its registration, bank account, etc, the statement underlined that the work of this company had been inspected by relevant authorities on several occasions and upon Ms. Plavsic’s request. The financial police had not found evidence of illegal dealings. At the same time, a share-holders company Simpex-Commerce from Banja Luka had violated financial laws and regulations in several instances, and the financial police had initiated a procedure at relevant judiciary institutions for sanctioning this company, said the statement signed by PM Gojko Klickovic.
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Collegiate bodies of the Police Station Doboj rendered full support to the RS Government and in accordance with the RS Constitution. The same message was sent from Trebinje. Namely, police officers and bordering police held a meeting in Trebinje to review the current situation. 1’30”
Pale – Ostoja Kremenovic, Deputy PM received a delegation of the Council of Europe to discuss modalities for organization of local administration in the RS. Kremenovic told the press that cooperation with the Council of Europe had been satisfactory and that the work on harmonization of standards of the RS legislation with European standards was under way.
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US General Jacques Klein has been nominated as one of the two deputies to the newly appointed HR in BiH.
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Banja Luka – Last night SFOR troops blocked the area around Banski Dvori, the residence of the RS President and Banja Luka TV centre. SFOR troops were heavily armed and patrolled the area. Vice President Dragoljub Mirjanic was prevented from entering the premises of Banski Dvori. The report posed the question why SFOR unnecessarily demonstrated power in Banja Luka.
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