Vienna – Robert W. Farrand is supervisor for Brcko. HR Bildt said that Farrad is experienced in foreign policy and will bring quality to the process in Brcko. The US had presented its clear and strong position by appointing the US supervisor for the Brcko issue, which is a struggle for a unified BiH, preventing its division, and implementation of the DPA. The supervision will start on March 22. The international community underlined priorities of the implementation: full international control, economic reconstruction, refugee return, creation conditions for the elections [which should be held sometime in August, or by September 13 the latest], freedom of movement and defining of the police forces mission.
3:00
Sarajevo – SFOR presser – the OSCE cited several reasons of the postponement of the elections. According to head of the OSCE mission in BiH, Frowick, the most important one was a lack of high standards on which the OSCE insisted with the international community. Therefore, they will double-check voters registration lists and re-establish the local electoral commissions. OHR fully supports the OSCE decision with regard to postponement of the local elections, OHR spokesman Murphy said at the presser. He conveyed HR Bildt’s position regarding the main condition that needs to be met for successful elections: establishment of mechanisms which will ensure that the people who are elected also get their positions, as well as security; representation and participation of all political parties in the elections.
3:00
Sarajevo – BiH Parliament deputy speaker, Campara, sent a letter to HR Bildt, as well as Bosniak, Serb and Croat representatives in the BiH leadership to assistant with the holding of the BiH Parliament session.
Sarajevo – Schwarz-Schilling held a press conference after he met Minister Muratovic today. He said that the process of the Federation implementation is proceeding very slowly, and the situation is very difficult. Certainly, the most difficult issues are Stolac and Capljina where the process hasn’t even started, as well as Jajce and Bugojno, where the parties reached the agreement, but nothing beyond that. Schwarz-Schilling said that he is in general disappointed with the current situation, especially the Federation Parliament which didn’t do anything to remove those politicians who undermine the process of implementation.
2:00
OHR spokesman Murphy welcomed the suspension of three Croat policemen responsible for the Mostar incident which occurred on Feb. 10. However, Murphy said that this office would be even more satisfied to see those responsible brought before a court of justice.
Summary SRT News
In Vienna, a meeting on modalities for the implementation of the arbitration decision for the Brcko area ended today. The return of refugees, stabilization of the political and economic situation in the area and policing issues were discussed. By 15 February ’98, the decision on the status of Brcko will be known. Besides the Serb authorities, the supervisor Robert Farrand will share the control of the town. Follows the full statement made by the RS President Biljana Plavsic ( 10 min). Main points:- Dayton agreement brought us peace
- What applies for the entirety should apply for its parts as well. Because of its forced specifics, Brcko created tensions in the whole country.
- Regardless to other parts of Bosnia, a terrible war happened in Brcko.
- The line had to be drawn in the end – Each side had to give away something – The Dayton agreement was signed.
- The town of Brcko and part of the former municipality of Brcko, i.e. the current municipality Brcko, are integral parts of RS.
- The RS understands the message of the Intern. community that the area of Brcko is a place where all sides will be able to focus on implementation of the general agreement for peace in BiH.
- The RS is committed to implementation of the Dayton agreement in the Brcko area, meaning the freedom of movement, the right to return and free and fair elections.
- Bearing in mind the current situation: Brcko is a city of refugees. Out of 38.000 people living today in Brcko, around 30.000 are Serbs that have left their homes in Sarajevo, Drvar, Jajce, Srpska Krajina, West Slavonija and Eastern Slavonija. Also, 98% of people want to stay where they are living now. They want to start a new life and to forget about some declarations and empty promises.
- Also, some people would like to return. Dayton acknowledges that right, as does the RS, unless it would disadvantage Serb refugees that have nowhere to go.
- Welcoming the decision of the Int. community to build a residential compound in Brcko.
- The return of refugees should be accompanied by economic reconstruction.
- The procedure for compensation or exchange of private property should be taken up
- Conditions for carrying out elections are no different from conditions in other parts of BIH
- RS welcomes the new HR deputy for the Brcko area
President from RS in the presidency of BIH, Momcilo Krajisnik, held talks with the Chief of the Russian mission, Jakov Gerosimov. Krajisnik complained about another postponement of the local elections, but said that RS is ready to carry them out.
2 min
Speaker of the RS Assembly, Dragan Kalinic, together with the RS delgation, returned from Belgrade. Kalinic said that in the FRY parliament different ways of co-operation with the RS parliament were reviewed. Firstly, the mutual endorsement of the agreement must take place.
1,5 min