Headlines
- The RS Supreme Defence Council discussed key issues pertaining to defence of the Republic
- The RS government discussed measures of economic policy, on the eve of the NA session
- Kosmet Shqiptars a main obstacle to reaching a peace agreement in Rambouillet
- American and British aircraft again bombed military installations in the north of Iraq
The Supreme Defence Council, at its regular session today, discussed the decision by the HR Carlos Westendorp about the role of the BiH Presidency as the supreme civilian commander of all armed forces in the BiH. It was concluded that the RS legislation should apply until the BiH Constitutional Court reaches a decision. Regarding the Brcko arbitration, conviction was expressed that the DA would be respected, and that Brcko would remain within the RS. Financial matters were also discussed.
2:10
The main items on the agenda of today’s RS Government session were measures of economic policy and the RS budget as well as the issues of accommodation of refugees and DPs. The Government also discussed the implementation of its decision pertaining to the parity of the dinar to KM. A list of 38 strategic enterprises in the privatisation process was also determined. The session will continue tomorrow, immediately before the NA session.
2:35
The fifth session of the RS NA will begin tomorrow at 10 o’clock in Banja Luka. There are 30 items on the agenda including the proposed RS 1999 budget. The issue of the PM designate is not on the agenda.
1:55
Kosmet Shqiptars still refuse the proposed political agreement thus creating dissatisfaction of the Contact Group, claim French diplomatic sources. The Shqiptar delegation demands a referendum on independence and automatic conversion of so-called KLA into the local police, instead of proposed disarmament.
0:35
The EU CoM asked participants of the Rambouillet talks to adopt a framework agreement before tomorrow’s deadline. The EU promises to take an active part in the economic recovery of Kosmet. All the sanctions against the FRY, due to the situation in Kosmet will be gradually suspended.
0:35
The Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov stated today that Russia could take part in the international operation in Kosmet, if asked by Belgrade.
0:25
“Russia categorically opposes NATO use of force on the territory of sovereign Yugoslavia”, stated the Chief of the Main Directorate for International Military Co-operation of the Russian Defence Ministry, Lt Gen Leonid Ivashov. “If Moscow’s constructive policy is ignored, it will affect relations between Russia and NATO“, said Ivashov.
0:40
NATO will not support attempts for deployment in Kosovo of UN, OSCE or any troops other than NATO.
0:20
The President of ICTY, Gabrielle Kirk McDonald expressed grave concern over the fact that the proposed agreement for Kosovo does not mention the jurisdiction of the Hague Tribunal.
0:30
A convoy of 10 military vehicles was fired at near Vucitrn today, KVM spokesman, Sandy Blight told the “Beta” agency, quoting Serbian police sources. The army returned fire. The population of villages near Vucitrn, that left their homes due to conflicts between the army and the separatist KLA, returned this morning, said the UNHCR spokesman, Fernando del Mundo.
0:50
The spokesperson for OSCE mission, Beatrice Lacoste denied the claims of some media that a part of the KVM was evacuated to Macedonia.
0:25
Shqiptar terrorists killed 7 civilians over the past few days in the Prizren area, amonst which were 5 Albanians and 2 Serbs, according to the head of OSCE in the area, Brigadier Michel Maisonet.
0:10
Commenting on the news that Sulejman Seljini was appointed the commander-in-chief of so-called KLA and Samin Staku the commander in Drenica, the Pristina district court judge, Danica Marinkovic said the two were hardened criminals and terrorists sentenced to long term imprisonment in 1997.
0:30
The RS Information Minister, Rajko Vasic commented at today’s press conference on President Poplasen’s recent statements about the media. He assessed the anti-constitutional appointment of the SRT international administrator with the following comments: “I will remind the public that we inherited that paper, i.e. the international arrangements when taking over Klickovic’s Government. This Government had no choice, we simply had to accept what the IC had imposed upon the RS, not upon this Government.” The Minister of Information also talked about the accusations of the anti-Serb position of the SRT.
2:20