Headlines
- In Banja Luka: various diplomatic activities of the President, Vice-president and Prime Minister of RS
- Support of the European countries to the new Government of RS; concrete projects possible
- Suggestion of the International Crisis Group: decision on the status of Brcko in 5 years
- Americans prepared to start military action against Iraq
The third regular session of the RS National Assembly will be held on Saturday, 31st January, at 11 pm. This was a unanimous decision of the Heads of the Clubs of Parliamentary party delegates which held a consultative meeting this afternoon in Bijeljina.
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Today in Banja Luka, RS President, Biljana Plavsic, met with the Prime Minister of Denmark, Paul Rastmunsen.
After the meeting Mrs Plavsic stated that she had been honoured to meet him, since Denmark was highly respected by members of the EU. The Prime Minister of Denmark underlined the contribution of Biljana Plavsic in the implementation of the DA which significantly stabilised the situation in the RS, and promised that Denmark would do everything to improve living conditions for people in the RS.
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The President of the RS, Biljana Plavsic, met today with Robert Barry, the new Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH. After the meeting Mrs Plavsic stressed her good co-operation with the previous Head of Mission in BiH, Robert Frowick, which had been achieved under the very difficult conditions of this country. She expressed her expectation for future good co-operation, contacts and constructive solutions as has been the case so far.
The Chief of the OSCE Mission in BiH, Robert Barry, stated that the IC would do everything to help economic recovery and reconstruction of RS. He mentioned the elections in September and the implementation of the local election results in the whole of BiH.
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The Prime Minister of the RS, Milorad Dodik, met today with the Prime Minister of Denmark, Paul Rastmunsen. After the meeting, Dodik stated that they had discussed concrete issues. The Prime Minister of Denmark expressed his support to the newly elected Government and mentioned the measures which would be undertaken by his Government primarily to resolve the problems of the joint institutions in the RS.
The Prime Minister of Denmark expressed his satisfaction with the fact that he was the first foreign Prime Minister to visit Milorad Dodik. He confirmed the determination of the Danish Government to assist the RS economically, announcing the visit of a delegation from Denmark next week which would consider the current situation and suggest concrete solutions.
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The Vice-president of the RS and the Rector of the Banja Luka University, Dragoljub Mirjanic, met today with the Greek Ambassador in BiH, Procopious Macuranis; Slovenian Ambassador in BiH, Drago Mirosevic, and the Advisor for Cultural and Scientific Cooperation from France. They talked about the improvement of co-operation. After the meeting, the Greek Ambassador, Macuranis, stated that all aspects of co-operation are possible.
The Slovenian Ambassador expressed his wish to continue co-operation and financing of the project of linking the University libraries of the RS and Slovenia through Internet. The French representative concluded that the French culture and language are not sufficiently represented . On his initiative, a French Culture Centre will be organised in Banja Luka and it may be possible to open a French language department at one of the faculties. This project would be financed by the French Embassy in BiH.
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At a press conference at the International Press Centre in Banja Luka, the Greek Ambassador, Procopious Macuranis, mentioned his meeting with RS Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, and the opportunities for co-operation between the two countries. “Greek businessmen are very interested in investment in the RS”, he stated.
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A session of the BiH Council of Ministers, presided over by the two Co-presidents, was concluded today in the Earth Museum in Sarajevo by the adoption of the Memorandum on registration plates and the Proposal of the Permanent Law on Custom Tariffs. After the meeting, Bosic stated that those Laws would be sent to the Parliament of BiH to be adopted.
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The ICG has suggested that a definite decision on the status of Brcko should be postponed for 5 years, and that international administration and patronage be prolonged for the next 18 months. They state that Brcko is economically, military and strategically of vital importance for Serbs and the life of the RS. After 18 months, the administration of the town would be transferred to the joint institutions in Sarajevo, but international military forces would be required to remain in the area, under the command of NATO or temporary groups of the EU.
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If it applies its announced programme on the revitalisation of the country and rehabilitation of the economy; the protection of the identity of Srpska and action against corruption, the Government of Milorad Dodik will enable the citizens of the RS to build a democratic future in peace and progress, according to the Contact Group, as reported today by the Italian Agency ANSA.
The USA, Russia, Great Britain, France and Germany have accepted the news of the formation of a new RS Government with pleasure, and they are prepared to offer all assistance, as stated in a formal announcement by the Contact Group.
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American President, Bill Clinton, stated that he would ask for support from Congress for American troops and their mission to remain in BiH after the expiration of the SFOR mandate at the end of June this year.
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The Conference on return to Sarajevo will be held on the 3rd February in Sarajevo, announced the Head of the UNHCR office in Belgrade, Mons Niberg.
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OHR spokesperson in Sarajevo, Duncan Bullivant, stated that the authorities in BiH are guilty of blocking the process of return to Sarajevo. According to him, the authorities have taken responsibility for ensuring a multiethnic environment in Sarajevo, but not one concrete action has been taken to make that happen. Serbs will participate in the town authorities, including high functions, he stated.
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At a press conference of the Socialist Party today in Banja Luka, their spokesperson, Igor Radojicic, asked the Government to give an explanation for replacements in state-owned companies.
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Instead of an amnesty, Serbs captured in the “Storm” offensive were sentenced to several years of imprisonment. In the Solin prison near Split they somehow managed to inform the public of their existence. The imprisoned Serbs announced their hunger strike. The international community is now on the move.
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