Sarajevo – Norwegian Prime Minister, Jagland visited BiH today. The aim of his visit is to show the support of the DPA implementation officially. Jagland also met BiH President Izetbegovic, and the RS representative Krajisnik. Izetbegovic expressed his gratitude to Jagland for everything that Norway has done for the BiH. Jagland acclaimed the agreement on BiH ambassadors allocation, saying that the remainder of Sintra deadlines must be fulfilled. Accompanied by Federal Prime Minister, Bicakcic, Jagland was present at the occasion of contract signing between Norwegian Business Group and BiH “Elektroprivreda”, which regards the reconstruction of electrical facilities in BiH.
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Kuala Lumpur – The CoM delegation is finishing an official visit to Malaysia. The visit was pronounced as successful, and the main subject of political dialogues were Malaysian aid in reconstruction of BiH, and Malaysian army contingent within SFOR troops. The issue of war criminals was also discussed.
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Washington – After the unanimous reports about Holbrooke’s mission failure, by US media, the State Department spokesman Rubin made an official statement. Rubin pointed out that there was an extraordinary level of co-operation between Tudjman and Izetbegovic. Rubin also said that Holbrooke’s results are strengthened even more with Krajisnik’s decisions to withdraw from refusal of World Bank loans, as well as Krajisnik’s agreement with the reconstruction of the police.
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Pale – At the open session that begun at 19 hours, the Constitutional Court of RS considers Plavsic’ decision to dissolve the RS Parliament. Regardless of the Court decision, the pre-elections should take place anyway, since the Court decisions are not obligatory for Plavsic.
– Regarding the police reconstruction in BiH, RS President had a visit from SFOR commander Gen. Shinseki, and UN Special envoy Eide. Eide said that Plavsic was invited to take part in police reconstruction negotiations, that were broken several months ago by the Serb side.
– According to the statement of Multinational Division Southwest spokesman, Wright, the checking of MUP school was carried out yesterday in Banja Luka, with co-operation of local police. During the checking, two anti-tanks rocket launchers were seized. As Wright said, those weapons were immediately destroyed.
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Sarajevo – OHR presented a memorandum on legality of Plavsic’s decision to dissolve the RS Parliament. OHR considers Plavsic’s decision as legitimate, and in accordance with the RS constitution. Therefore the Parliament ceased to exist at the date of it’s dissolution. The Constitutional Court decisions should not be different from those made by Working Group, and pre-elections for the RS Parliament should be carried out in October, this year.
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Travnik – After the yesterday’s agreement for the meeting of the Working Group for refugee return in this canton, today’s supposed meeting was cancelled because of the absence of Croat representatives from Jajce. As said by local officials, the reason for Croat representatives absence is an opinion that dialogues about refugee return to Jajce should be held at Jajce itself. HR deputy Wagner said that the return of expellees to Jajce should be done by Aug. 25, as agreed yesterday in Travnik, but that certain number of refugees should return by the end of the week, as agreed a week ago.
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Sarajevo – At the regular press conference, Federal Minister for Refugees, Kadic said that the return of 160 000 refugees expected by the end of the year is not possible. The reason for that, as said by Kadic, is Serb entity authorities obstruction of the return. He also said that the women from Srebrenica should be supported and not condemned, as Carlos Westendorp did. Kadic said that this move narrowed Westendorp’s political abilities in his further work.
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Mostar – UNHCR spokesman in Mostar, Wright said that the programme for refugee return in Mostar is fully supported by UNHCR, so the Canton Refugee Minister has the full authorisation to start with this project, as ordered by annex 7 of the DPA. Over 700 persons of different nationalities registered for return during the last day.
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Sarajevo – UNHCR spokesman, Janowski reported about a meeting in Lukavac from Aug. 6, where the local Mayor expressed his readiness to accept the refugee return in this town. The project would include return of 92 Serb families.
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Sarajevo – At the regular press conference of Alternative CoM, the main conclusion was that the results from the presidential meeting of Izetbegovic and Tudjman were achieved only because of foreign diplomats intervention. Regarding this meeting, the Alternative CoM said that many of the questions remained opened, such as the problem of the Ploce harbour, and transfer through Neum.
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Summary SRT TV News
Pale – the Constitutional Court (CC) public hearing – the CC begun the proceedings to review the constitutionality of Plavsic’s decision to dissolve the Parliament and schedule pre-term elections. Parliament and Government agent Lukic, Plavsic’s agent Trbojevic, representatives of Parliament and Government, legal experts, and representatives of the IC attended the public proceedings. Lukic said that the RS President went beyond her authorities, adding that there was no real conflict between Plavsic and Parliament that would have had to finish with the dissolution. She simply did not agree with the RS institutions and the Minister (Kijac), and instead of convening the Parliament session in order to solve the problem she dissolved it. Referring to the Constitution, Plavsic wanted to impose something that doesn’t exist in the Constitution. Plavsic’s agent said that Lukic should not represent a body which does not exist anymore (referring to the Parliament). President of the CC, Mijanovic complained about Trbojevic who said that the CC should not allow Prof. Cavoski (legal expert) to talk before the Court since he is biased. The President of the CC rejected the complaints, saying that Plavsic also appointed two scientific figures to represent her in the proceedings. The CC will continue discussion tomorrow at 10:00 without media presence.13:00
Banja Luka – Plavsic met the SFOR Commander Shinseki, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Aide and IPTF Commissioner. Within this item SRT reported that the IC continues with its pressure on the RS in order to reduce its police forces and bring them in subordination to SFOR and IPTF, special police forces in particular. Although there are no disputable acts which violate the DPA, SFOR and IPTF do not give up counting the RS policemen. After the meeting Shinseki said that they discussed the reorganisation of police, aiming to show Plavsic generous intentions of the IC when this issue is considered. Aide said that relations will soon be re-established.
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Muslim Sarajevo – Krajisnik met the Norwegian Prime Minister and discussed the political situation in the RS and Federation with regard to the Sintra Declaration. Krajisnik said that Norwegian Prime Minister showed great interest in the situation. He underlined that RS should be treated equally with the Federation regarding the allocation of financial aid. Presidency session which should have been held today was cancelled because of Zubak’s absence. Krajisnik had also met Izetbegovic separately and judged this meeting as ‘useful’, and that he had met WB representatives who promised to give resources for the start of three projects in the RS.
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Comment of the RS Government with regard to Plavsic’s decision to extend the OSCE and PEC mandate – The Government condemned Plavsic’s decision, even more since the CC convened the public proceedings to review of Plavsic’s decision on dissolution of Parliament. The Government thinks that scheduling of the elections before the CC makes the final decision would directly violate the RS Constitution. Again without consultations, the President offered the extension of the mandate to OSCE and PEC, although the Government is not satisfied with their work for quite some time. OSCE still hasn’t solved the problem of the Brcko voters, hasn’t made the voters’ lists, and the Government hasn’t really decided yet whether it will allow OSCE to supervise the elections. The Government said that it is only the matter of its good will to leave the organisation of the elections to OSCE. The Government is stunned with the fact that the RS President, although informed about the above, gave the authority to OSCE to carry out the voters’ registration.
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The RS Government’s comment with regard to Plavsic’s statement given at the Press conference and on SRT on August 11 – The RS President misjudged MUP and Minister of Interior, Kijac as guilty for the situation in Brcko and again misinformed the public. Therefore, the Government announced a letter which was sent by Brcko MUP to the IPTF Commissioner on July 26 1997, and also sent a copy to the RS President, UN High Representative (probably HR) and others. (SRT quoted the whole letter). On July 23 MUP received a letter from Brcko Mayor Pajic in which he informed MUP about a meeting he held with OHR Brcko with regard to issuing IDs to Muslim returnees. OHR warned that non-implementation of the Brcko decision can severely influence the final Brcko decision. Furthermore, at meetings held on 4 and 7 July MUP Brcko agreed with OHR to establish three ‘check points’ (offices) for issuing IDs to Muslims in Omerbegovaca, Brod and Ulice. Muslims would get IDs within seven days after they apply because of the administrative problems. The situation in Brcko is satisfactory with regard to the security, which is provided by the RS police. Serb side is ready to talk to either Government or IPTF and other internationals if necessary if the above is not true. Since none of the internationals replied, the Government understood that they had no complaints.
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Stanica Rijeka near Doboj – Seven Muslim families returned to Stanica Rijeka today, although their return was not approved either by the RS authorities or UNHCR. Muslims again flagrantly violate the DPA and the agreement on return.
Pale – The RS Government held its session and discussed, among other issues, the issue of privatisation and distribution of shares free of charge to the RS citizens.
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