Sarajevo – All political parties from the Federation held a meeting discussing the Brcko issue. They made a joint report, saying that they accept Farrand’s proposal regarding the above, and suggested to the returnees to accept the RS I.D’s until a final decision on Brcko is made. They agreed on this issue after receiving Farrand’s letter in which he confirms that such decision cannot influence the final decision on Brcko. Acceptance of IDs will provide security for the returnees and help them to return. However, they also expect from Farrand to provide ground for establishment of multi-ethnicity in the town especially after the local elections; to speed up the return and reconstruction of houses in the ZOS; to provide freedom of movement to all returnees; to ban process of privatisation until a final decision on Brcko is made; to establish a border and customs with Croatia, and to undertake certain measures with regard to Brcko harbour.
4:00
Sarajevo – BiH President Izetbegovic met the German Foreign Minister Kinkel, and discussed refugee return and co-operation between Germany and BiH which will be established through the German Special Envoy to BiH for Return of Refugees and Reconstruction, Schlee. After the talks, the German delegation held a press conference. Kinkel said that the time has come for BiH refugees to return to BiH, promising that Germany would not put any pressure on returnees. The IC will invest $ 300 million in BiH reconstruction, whereas 30% of the amount will be given by Germany. Besides, Germany will invest an additional $12 million on bilateral agreements. Those who respect the DPA will receive aid. Izetbegovic underlined that he will fully support the project of return.
3:00
British Foreign Minister Robin Cook will visit BiH within his three-day-visit to BiH and Croatia. He will meet Izetbegovic and the Presidency members, Krajisnik and Zubak. Commenting on the current situation in BiH and attacks on SFOR, Cook expressed his support for British troops in carrying out their mission, as well as the RS President, adding that war criminals should find themselves in the Hague.
2:00
The regular SFOR press conference – Early this morning, an SFOR vehicle was set alight after it was hit by a fire bomb. There were no casualties. SFOR, IPTF and RS police are conducting an investigation. The UN Spokesman Ivanko reminded about Srebrenica and Zepa occupation, and announced Milan Kovacevic and Simo Drljaca’s charges for committing genocide in period from April 1992 and January 1993. Drljaca is charged with establishing a number of concentration camps such as Omarska and Kereterm, where prisoners where kept only because of their religion or ethnicity. The charge stressed that the aim was to destroy Muslims and Croats as ethnic group in BiH.
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Sarajevo – Izetbegovic met the head of the Children’s Association SOS Kindersdorf and talked about construction of children’s home for orphans from Srebrenica to be built in Gracanica.
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Zagreb – The Croatian Foreign Ministry has completed documentation for the meeting between Izetbegovic and Tudjman, BiH Press reports. The talks will be held next week in Sarajevo. The two foreign ministries will review documents for establishment of possible bilateral contracts between BiH and Croatia.
2:00
Prior to the above meeting, the Party of Economic Prosperity of BiH sent a letter to Izetbegovic, asking for Neum to be returned to BiH. They think that apart from issues of mutual trade and relations, the issue of returning this town to its motherland is even more important. ‘We are all familiar with the fact that Neum was mainly constructed by BiH companies from Zenica and Tuzla as well as from the pensioner’s fund, and now it is a town without its constructors.’ As long as the town is not returned it will be closed and taken away by those who are the least responsible for it.
3:00
Brka – While visiting free territories of the Brcko area, Federation Vice-president Ganic met Bosniak representatives of Brcko and talked about problems with regard to returnees from abroad who simply expel refugees whom they found living in their homes as temporary accommodation and who call for the law on private property. There are about 1000 such families expelled, while waiting to return to Brcko. Ganic sees a solution in the possibility that the Government pays rent to the owners-returnees so they could allow temporary users to stay until they are allowed to go back (to Brcko from where they originally came), underlining that the Government will not allow expulsion of soldiers and their families.
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Summary SRT TV News
Pale – RS Government formed an expert group in order to consider materials of OSCE regarding the forthcoming elections. The Government took a stand that no further conditions would be accepted, nor would there be any local elections if there was no admittance to the voters lists of. After the session Klickovic said that RS delegation in Brussels was not surprised with the double standards policy, regarding the treatment of RS by the IC. He also said that if the IC doesn’t do something about economic aid for the RS they are breaking the DPA themselves. Klickovic said that he told the IC to deal with decisions made so far, and that the RS would handle their problems in accordance with the NATO summit in Madrid. He also said that he let the IC know that RS accepts the war crimes occurred in this war on all three sides, but that the recent model of determination of war crimes doesn’t even look like Laws, and that the RS delegation cannot work with the Tribunal who is co-operating with some secret police. Klickovic said that they assured IC that RS will act in accordance with the DPA and that it’s identity would not be sold for dollars. He also said that it was clear the IC attempted to work outside of the DPA, and was trying to reintegrate RS politically, and economically.5’00”
SRT news commentary – The donors conference confirmed that relevant international factors still have one-way view at the matters, for only Serbs were punished. EU Commissioner Van den Broek’s anti-Serb stream dominated during the conference, so it doesn’t surprise us that the EU continued to put RS under pressure.
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Sarajevo – German foreign Minister Kinkel on his visit from Bonn, asked for realisation of the programme for refugee return from Germany. The repatriation programme was the main subject of today’s meeting between Kinkel and the CoM. As said by co-chairman Bosic the interest was shown from all three sides for faster hardening of economic basis as in BH as well in RS, so that conditions for refugee return could be created. No terms for the return of the refugees were discussed. After the meeting, Kinkel said that the EU will offer aid only under if all sides implement the DPA. Kinkel said that the EU will donate 300 million US dollars, and Germany takes part in 30%.
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Brcko – Krajisnik and RS Parliament Chairman Kalinic talked to local authorities in Brcko about the current political situation, and the DPA implementation. He also said that the RS leadership had been informed that many of the voters were denied their elementary democratic right to vote in their place of residence. A protest gathering occured in Brcko today with a message to the elections appellation subcommittee asking them not to deny their right to vote in Brcko. A protest letter was addressed to Frowick, Farrand, and Rehn, accusing them of breaking the Geneva Convention of human rights and freedom.
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Pale – SDS deputy in charge Buha refuted the claims of Senator Lazarevic that the RS leadership negotiates with HDZ about exchange of territories within BH. Buha said that Lazarevic’s claim came although he made the matter clear with President Plavsic, in front of Senate. Buha also said that at the meeting with HDZ, a few months ago, no similar matter had been discussed. Buha explained that in case of eventual negotiations of this type, the negotiators should be authorised by RS Parliament.
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Bijeljina – At the yesterday’s session of Senate, held in the presence of Plavsic, it was said that all mutual verbal attacks and accusations should cease immediately. Only three hours later at the meeting in Kozarska Dubica, Plavsic refuted all these conclusions, and accused her recent associates, saying that the Parliament representatives are frightening with methods that only Mafia uses.
The second conclusion of the Senate was that the Constitutional Court decisions must be accepted. However, Plavsic questioned the authority of this court over her decisions by attorney Trbojevic. After her answer, Court Chairman Mijanovic said that the Court must respect the procedure. Mijanovic said that the decisions of the Court are fully legal. Commenting on Plavsic’s statement that she will appeal on the Constitutional Court of BH, Mijanovic said that it cannot change anything within the RS legal system.
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SRT news commentary – journalist Deichmann who did not bow to the anti-Serb hysteria, published the real truth about false stories of concentration camps Omarska and Trnopolje, and afterwards was discredited by the powerful information creators. He will stand before trial for publishing his articles. It depends on the trial whether the fight for free speech and truth will be won.
British foreign minister Cook will visit BH next week, to warn the authorities that they have to make progress with the DPA implementation. Cook is expected to meet members of BH Presidency. He will ask them to act in order to create military liaisons between the RS and BH, name the ambassadors and publish passports. Cook said that he expects conversations regarding the reintegration process planned by the DPA. He did not explain where such a phrase is mentioned in the DPA. He also announced talks regarding war criminals.
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Bijeljina – A few days ago, armed American soldiers of SFOR burst into the facilities of serbian radio in Bijeljina. After three minutes of conversation with the editor, the soldiers left the editor’s office but not the radio building. Ten minutes later the editor found them talking to assistant personnel, questioning them about the number of employees, equipment and the type of transmitter. The soldiers left only when editor re-intervened.
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Banja Luka – SDS city board session was held today discussing the current situation in RS and tasks that stand before SDS. SDS spokesman said that the decision of institutions of state are obligatory for SDS. SDS will do everything to overcome current political crisis. (the interview took place in a room with Karadzic’s picture in the background – which was shown only to the neck throughout – except for once when the camera lifted to reveal his face)
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