Headlines
- 50 000 Serbs left Kosovo;
- 50 000 Albanians returned to Kosovo;
- US, Russia talks in Helsinki resume;
- 17,7 million DM worth memorandum on revitalization of infrastructure signed today in Banja Luka;
- VJ Army continues to pull out from Kosovo. As Serb civilians are leaving Kosovo Albanian refugees are coming back.
- Lt.Gen. Jackson says that agreement on KLA disarmament is expected to be signed in 2 or three days after which KLA will not exist any longer.
- German KFOR took the control over FRY Special Police HQ in Prizren and released 15 beaten prisoners. They also found the body of still unidentified, 76 years old man. -confirmed German KFOR, SRNA carries.
- SRT correspondent (Draga Grubic) from Belgrade gives an extensive report on Serb refugees leaving Kosovo, Albanian refugees returning to Kosovo, reports and UNCHR appeals to Serbs not to leave Kosovo. SRT correspondent carried the SKY report on refugee column, 65 km long moving towards Nis.
- 16 years old Serb civilian was killed by KLA members yesterday when convoy of Serbs was returning from Montenegro to Kosovo. – Montenegrin policemen said to AFP. (The item was accompanied with the footage of young man in the car, shot dead).
- KLA members blocked the General Hospital in Pristina. – BETA
- KLA members in Prizren will be banned to carry the weapon and to wear the uniforms. They will also have to remove the check-points set in town.- stated German Colonel – REUTERS
The block of news relating the current situation in Kosovo is accompanied with footage of Serb civilians leaving Kosovo.
- US-Russian talks in Helsinki: Cohen and Albright work in Helsinki with their Russian counterparts to resolve a Kosovo related standoff with Moscow. The impasse is over on the role of Russian troops within the NATO-led peacekeeping force.
- Brussels: Louise Arbour says that is necessary to provide appropriate political environment for the work of the Hague Tribunal investigators. KFOR provided all relevant conditions for the work of the Tribunal investigators as well as their security in Kosovo. Milosevic’s indictment is first step towards imprisonment of those responsible for committed war crimes in Kosovo. UN Security Council will make the decision on the way of their imprisonment, stressed Arbour.
- FRY Minister of Foreign Affairs Assistant, Nebojsa Vujovic called on International troops to provide Serb civilians to stay in Kosovo and to provide the return of people who already left Kosovo. In separate meetings with Lt.Gen. Jackson and Head of the UN Mission De Mello, Vujovic demanded disarmament and demilitarization of KLA.
- Greek composer Mikis Teodorakis visited Belgrade today. At the press conference held in the National Museum in Belgrade, Teodorakis said that friendly people should have sticked together and announced that Greek people will support Serbs during the reconstruction of FRY reminding that thousands of Greeks signed the imputations upon NATO. Teodorakis was received by FRY president Milosevic.
FRY reactions
- Djindjic (DS): No possibility for permanent peace without democratization of Serbia. Djindjic met UN special envoy Carl Bildt and Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel in Wienna. Serbian citizens have suffered a lot in the last few years and accused the FRY authorities for that.
- Coalition “Vojvodina” commenced SPC ( Serb Orthodox Church) demand for Milosevic resignation.
- GSS (Civil Alliance of Serbia): on Milosevic removal, SPC statement, Serbian
- President Milutinovic decree, Seselj.
SRT also carried the statements related to US, Russia talks on situation in Kosovo, as well as the reactions of many Western officials: Clinton, Solana, Cook statement on Milosevic indictment for war crimes.
Breaking News
- Unnamed diplomat said to REUTERS that agreement had been reached between Russia and US
RS NEWS
- Richard Kauzlarich, Milorad Dodik, USAID Mission Director Craig Buck and representatives of nine municipalities from RS signed Memorandum 17,7 DM worth on revitalization of infrastructure.
The report is accompanied by SRT footage and statements of Dodik on allocation of the money approved by State department. Ambassador Kauzlarich statement on US support to RS municipalities, also statement on return of refugees. SRT also carried the statement of Craig Buck on credit programs for RS if the RS continues to implement DPA. After the meeting with the Ambassador Kauzlarich, Djokic commended the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, also on Brcko arbitration Award.
- The Education Trade Union will go on strike before the end of the school year due to the unpaid salaries. Extensive report on this issue including joint statement of Ministry of Finances and Ministry of Education.
- RS Minister of interior, Sredoje Novic visited police officials in Sokolac today and discussed the possibilities of reconstruction of the police in that town.
- Identification of Serb civilians and RS Army soldiers in Srpsko Sarajevo. Bodies were exhumed from different sites in Sarajevo region in May and June.
- Sarajevo presser: A.Stiglmayer statements on Crime situation in Sarajevo and Steering Board’s concerns about lack of progress in the implementation of DPA and the Madrid Conclusions