BiH Presidency headed by Alija Izetbegovic, convened in the National Museum. On its Agenda prevailed political themes of Protocol nature. The RS Constitution is incompatible with the BiH Constitution and therefore we have problems in co-operation with the Hague Tribunal and many other issues, among which is the release of prisoners, said Mirza Hajric. The representatives of the International Community did not attend session and this will now be the case unless the Presidency invites them.
2’00”
Before tomorrow’s announcement of the Investigation Report on the 10 February Mostar incident, a meeting of the Federation Forum Working Group started in the Presidency Building devoted to this subject. A reporter informed later that Ambassador Michael Steiner opened the meeting, which dealt with the issue, but the original results of the investigation will be announced tomorrow due to the necessary consultations on the implementation of conclusions and suggestions made at the meeting. According to BiH Press, the meeting was attended by the highest local and international leadership in BiH. Safet Orucevic, Deputy Mostar Mayor, said that his worry is how the International Community is going to deal with and punish those who for 3 years have terrorized Mostar’s residents.
2’30”
Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, who is paying an official visit to BiH was received with the highest honors in Sarajevo. A report accounted in details his every move and visits he paid to the BiH and international officials: Members of the Presidency, two Co-Chairmen of the CoM and Ambassador Michael Steiner. Persson plans to visit the Swedish battalion with the SFOR in Tuzla. CoM Co-Chair, Silajdzic discussed with a special Swedish team accompanying Persson various issues, among them the most interesting were refugee repatriation and reconstruction of B&H
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Solemnly placing the inscriptions on two Federal Ministries: the Ministry for Energy and Industry and the Ministry for Culture and Education on a building in Mostar, saw the realization of the Federation Forum and the Federal Government decisions as well as Federal partners agreements which foresee that the four Ministries are situated in Mostar.
1’30”
In connection with a Foreign Ministry Statement on the non-compliance of Federation Defense Minister, Ante Jelavic, with the provisions of the Hague Tribunal in the case of HVO General Tihomir Blaskic, the Federal Foreign Ministry issued a new Statement saying that the first one, signed by Deputy Minister Zivalj was issued unfounded and without consultations with the Minister. It does not correspond with the rights and obligations of the Foreign Ministry concerning the Hague Tribunal, said the statement.
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Some agencies have informed today that a warrant has been issued to arrest Ante Jelavic since he did not appear before the Court to witness in the case of Blaskic. Just before the Central news started, new information said that the Hague Tribunal ordered that Jelavic has to appear before the Tribunal on 28 February.
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Follows a lengthy piece about 7 Srebrenica residents, who after the fall of Srebrenica were hiding in a forest before giving themselves to an IPTF patrol. The international police handed them over to the Serbs. They are still in a prison accused of committing 5 homicides. Alex Ivanko told a Press Conference at that time that the seven have been tortured to admit these crimes. Their lawyers haven’t received documents to prepare their defense. The Serb side failed to submit them even on request of the OSCE.
3’30”
The first person of the International Community, Carl Bildt will apparently be leaving us soon. Carl Bildt, leader of the main Swedish opposition party who oversaw peace efforts in BiH will return to his country in order to prepare his party for the 1998 election.
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Summary SRT News
Sarajevo – Presidency session – the three party Presidency discussed Pope’s visit to BiH scheduled for April 13 among other issues, and established an Organising Board for Pope’s reception. They agreed that Foreign Minister Prlic will visit UK and sign a contract on co-operation, whereas the Foreign Ministry will visit Bulgaria and Egypt in order to establish co-operation with these two countries too. Presidency members met Swedish Prime Minister Goran Parsson, who held a meeting with CoM Co-chairs Bosic and Silajdzic prior to that one. Bosic, Silajdzic, their deputy Tomic, and Foreign Minister Prlic will decide on appointing of new RS and Federation representatives to IMF, WB and Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 2:00Bijeljina – RS army proved combat readiness on the ground, organising a military parade and training on the streets of Bijeljina commanded by Supreme Commander Biljana Plavsic and General Colic. After the parade, General Colic and other high ranking officers confirmed once again that combat readiness is at a very high level, and that the RS army is ready to successfully defend RS territory.
3:00
Banja Luka – RS Vice-president Mirjanic received a Greek delegation from Calamary who proved their solidarity with the RS people and leadership. They also expressed their desire to give a financial aid to Laktasi [little town in Central Bosnia], for reconstruction of an Orthodox church which was destroyed by ustashas in the World War II. SRT journalist commented that Laktasi should be renamed to New Greece because of this gesture. And furthermore, Greeks understand Serbs and their struggle for their freedom and independence.
3:00
Muslims made an incident in the ZOS again. More than 100 of them prevented SFOR, IPTF, and Serb police from marking the international ZOS line. The Muslims, armed with sticks, were shouting that there is no place for the Serbs or Serb police in that region.
‘What the others say about us’:
- Spokesman of the ‘Moderate’ Party in Sweden said that HR Bildt will probably permanently return to Stockholm in May. According to him, Bildt will return to Sweden as a leader of his [Moderate] party to prepare himself for Swedish elections scheduled for 1998. Bildt was transferred to a hospital two days ago because of infection that he contracted in Sarajevo.
- BiH which was created in Dayton looks more and more like Cyprus, and anyone can expect its final division now, probably on three different state units, Belgian OSCE member, Megis, said. He said the wish for living together perhaps does exist, but it is just an insignificant speck of dust compared to hatred which has overcome all three nations in BiH.
2:00
Banja Luka – RS National Bank Governor, Coric met FRY Central Bank Vice-governor, Banovic, and talked about monetary policy of these two countries. They concluded that the RS monetary policy will not be stable without stability of the FRY dinar. They also concluded that RS must have the Central Bank in accordance with the DPA, but the issue of monetary policy is beyond the DPA and Central Bank, and it will function separately. 2:00