Headlines
- International Community ready to invest a considerable amount of money in reconstruction of the RS
- Transfer of duties from the former to the newly appointed Prime Minister of Srpska completed
- Final agreement on B&H ambassadors reached
- Sadam Hussein allows inspection of 8 presidential locations
The general standpoint of the IC is that the new RS Government, which supports implementation of the DA, meets conditions for international investment. This standpoint was reiterated at today’s meeting between Mrs. Short, British Secretary for International Development, and RS President, Biljana Plavsic. SFOR Commander, American General Eric Shinseki, visited Banja Luka today. The General spoke to the RS President in a closed meeting. The RS Defence Minister, General Manojlo Milovanovic, took part in the meeting. No press release was issued. Prior to that meeting, the RS President hosted Mrs. Short. After the meeting the RS President stated that a constructive and open discussion had taken place about economic development of the RS and equal assistance to both the eastern and western parts of the RS. The new RS Government had gained the full support of the International Community by proposing the democratisation and development of Srpska, Mrs. Short told the press, adding that the IC had a considerable amount of money intended for the reconstruction of the whole region.
1:30
Commenting on the previous session of the RS NA, Momcilo Krajisnik, Serb member of the B&H Presidency, assessed the annulment of 33 laws, suspension of inappropriate ones and moving the seat of the Government as an act of great bravery, which could have certain consequences for certain people. “I consider that talks about how to work should take place as soon as possible. Otherwise, the principle of outvoting will bring us to a crisis point and by the time the new elections are held we shall be uncompromising political rivals,” Mr. Krajisnik said.
0:40
The transfer of duties from the former RS Prime Minister, Gojko Klickovic, to the newly-appointed Milorad Dodik took place in Bijeljina today. The protocol on the transfer made by the new RS Prime Minister’s cabinet was distributed to the press. Both men expressed a readiness to realise all projects which would improve the lives of all the citizens of RS, according to a statement issued by the RS Prime Minister`s cabinet.
0:30
Hanns Schumacher, Deputy High Representative to B&H, today promoted the new common licence plates in Banjaluka. On the occasion of the promotion of new licence plates and functioning of the multi-ethnic police in Brcko, the RS Minister of Interior, Milovan Stankovic, with his assistants, met Ambassador R. Farrand, together with OHR, IPTF and SFOR representatives in Brcko and Bijeljina. By July 31 all vehicles in B&H will have licence plates of the same form. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Stankovic said that the introduction of new licence plates was an additional confidence building measure. Ambassador Farrand stated that freedom of movement was a constitutional right of all citizens in B&H and announced the opening of border crossings with Croatia and the issuing of new passports. Mr. Stankovic and Ambassador Farrand met the heads of police stations from Brcko. “The common licence plates for B&H are a huge step toward peaceful living and unhindered movement of vehicles throughout B&H”, Deputy High Representative Hanns Schumacher stated today in Banjaluka, and added: “Those who think that the introduction of new licence plates is a step toward a united Bosnia have to understand that the war is finished and that the people deserve better and prosperous living. In that respect the introduction of new currency and the issuing of new passports are approaching.”. Addressing the press, the RS Deputy Prime, Minister Ostoja Kremenovic, pointed out that the introduction of new licence plates was a commitment undertaken by signing the DA. “The Government will be implementing it, and all the steps the Government undertake will be directed toward development of the RS,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. SFOR Commander, General Shiseki, and IPTF Deputy Commissioner, Werner Schum, attended today’s licence plate promotion.
3:00
By appointing an Ambassador in Washington the B&H Presidency has completed the process of appointing its diplomats 32 countries. At today’s session held in Lukavica it appointed Goran Neskovic as liaison officer for the Serb side at the Hague Tribunal. The post of Ambassador in Washington goes to the RS, as previously agreed. The name of the Ambassador is to be announced publicly after US approval.
0:30
Proposals for Ambassadors in Malaysia and Jordan and for the Consulate in Belgium were adopted at today’s session of the B&H Presidency, chaired by co-president of the CoM, Haris Silajdjic. The structure of nine B&H Consulates was defined, and a decision was taken on forming the Commission for inter-entity judicial co-operation.
0:50
Momcilo Krajisnik, Serb member of the B&H Presidency, considers that the final agreement on ambassadors in B&H deserves special attention. “The opening of the Croatian Consulate in BL is delayed because I demanded consultations to be conducted with the RS side,” Krajisnik stated after the B&H Presidency session in Lukavica. He also confirmed that a decision had been taken on establishing inter-entity co-operation in the area of the judiciary.
0:40
Klaus Kinkel, German Foreign Minister, officially announced today that RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik would pay an official visit to Bonn on Wednesday February 4th .
0:20
The B&H Parliament has to make a decision on the common flag’s appearance tomorrow. In the event that this does not happen, the HR Carlos Westendorp will impose a decision himself by decree. As far as passports are concerned, it seems that Westendorp will have the final say, according to Austrian analysts and commentators today.
1:00
The trial of the former major of Vukovar continued today.
0:10
Serb Radio – part of the SRT system – celebrated its 31st anniversary today. The very first news was broadcast from this radio station on February 2nd, 1967. A press conference recalling that event and discussing future work took place today at the premises of Serb Radio in Banjaluka.
3:00