The signing of the co-operation agreement in Belgrade between the Bosnian Serb Entity and Yugoslavia by Momcilo Krajisnik, BiH Presidency Member, and Zoran Lilic, President of Yugoslavia, attracts first reactions in Sarajevo. A meeting is underway between Alija Izetbegovic, Presidency President, and Haris Silajdzic, CoM Co-Chair. The co-operation between the Serb Entity and Yugoslavia foresees the establishment of a joint economy, freedom of movement between two countries, etc. Yet, Momcilo Krajisnik violated his authorities by singing such an agreement.
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William Cohen, the new American Defense Secretary, is paying his first visit to Europe since taking over his duties. During his visits to Germany, BiH and Italy he may lead talks pointing out the US decision to withdraw its peace keeping troops from Bosnia in the middle of next year, Reuters reports. On Thursday, March 6 he will visit NATO serving American soldiers in the region of Tuzla.
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Joris Voorhoeve, Holland’s Defense Minister, along with his associates, visited Middle Bosnia. The delegation paid a visit to the Cantonal Hospital, part of which is being reconstructed with donations from the Holland Government. Representatives of the communal authorities held talks with the Holland delegation on reconstruction, as well as cultural and political co-operation between two countries.
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SFOR Commander of Multi National Division North, General Montgomery Miegs and IPTF Major Daniel met today with the Tuzla-Podrinje Canton’s President, Sead Jamakosmanovic Talks focused on: the kidnapping of 3 Serb Entity citizens from the village Marici, near Lopare, who were released yesterday; the recent arrest of Celici resident Ibrahim Ljajic by the Serbs; and the continuous burning of Bosniak houses in Gajevi and other settlements. General Miegs pointed out that kidnapping and mistreatment of Serb citizens on Federation territory represents a serious violation of the peace accord and urged that the culprits be found and punished. The arrest of Ljajic he said, was justified. Neither the Cantonal representatives nor the journalists received an answer as to how it is possible that houses are destroyed in Celici, and whole roof constructions stolen, and houses blown up in Dugi Dio, when the International Community has taken over the responsibility of supervision of this region.
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Follows reporting of problems of different kind in various Federation towns: Citizens of Cvilin, Ustikolina and Jabuka are waiting for financing for housing.
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All Banja Luka residents should give their voices in Banja Luka and for Banja Luka, concluded the representatives of refugees, displaced and evicted residents from this town, at the meeting held in Sanski Most. About 300 citizens from Banja Luka, living dispersed all over the world, attended a speakers platform on the mass return of 100.000 citizens to their homes on the river Vrbas.
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Summary SRT News
Since the Agreement on Special Mutual Relations signed between the FRY and RS represents a very significant part of RS history, SRT journalist decided to invite one of its signatories, member of the BiH Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik, to give his comment. He said that there were both positive and negative reactions with regard to the Agreement, which will prove its real values in future contacts between these two countries. The RS could not sign such a document before, because of international community pressure. The RS will gain all the rights through this Agreement, which it could not gain within the Federation. This Agreement is fully in accordance both with the DPA and BiH Constitution. RS will not yield to Muslim and Croat pressure and their illegal desire to establish ties with RS which are stronger than those agreed in Dayton. The RS has a legal and full right to establish such relation with the FRY, the same as the Federation had with Croatia, Pakistan, Turkey and Iran.Krajisnik said that he will present the Agreement to Zubak and Izetbegovic at the next Presidency session. He already presented it to the Contact Group and the OHR. The RS will establish economic ties with Croatia and Macedonia, whereas the FRY will be the only country with such special ties with the RS. The RS and FRY will join a one Serb national corps. Krajisnik also commented on Draskovic and Pesic’s negative reaction with regard to the Agreement [they said that the Agreement represents final confirmation of who actually started the war in BiH], saying that he was not sure whether the RS leadership could have established any relations with those people if their political party was in power. He also said that he was in favour of one unified Serb state, but the international community did not agree with that. However, the Agreement will support an idea of a joint Serb national being which can not be taken away from them.
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World media opinion: Russian media reported that RS gained the right to establish special ties with the FRY through the DPA. Le Mond made a contradictory report saying that, on one hand, RS undermines the BiH sovereignty, whereas, on the other, the Agreement on special ties with the FRY is in full accordance with the DPA.
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Commentary – the WB has given $ 5 billion to BiH, but only $ 11 million to the RS, whereas the Federation has received 80 times more. International community is continuing with its pressure, blaming Serbs for non-co-operation and obstruction with regard to establishment of the BiH Central Bank and joint currency, although the DPA clearly says the those two issues should left up to the parties to decide on themselves.
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World News: Mostar – The HDZ Main Board concluded that the functioning of the main Federation bodies has come to a serious standstill as a result of Muslim violation of Croat interests. The Board did not accept an IPTF report of an incident in Mostar, which occurred nearly a month ago, Croat radio reported.
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