Headlines
- The European Bank announces help for the RS
- The President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, threatens to retaliate in the event of US military action
- Prime Minister of the RS, Milorad Dodik, affirms that Brcko must remain in the RS
Prime Minister of the RS, Milorad Dodik, visited Brcko today where he met with local authorities and representatives of the RS Arbitration Team, together with the International Supervisor for Brcko, Robert Farrand. Dodik stated that Brcko had to remain in the RS. Prime Minister Dodik visited Samac, where he talked to municipality representatives about actions the Government will undertake in order to overcome certain problems of this municipality in Posavina.
0:30
RS Minister of Defence, Manojlo Milovanovic, confirmed in Banja Luka that this was the first Ministry where the transfer of duties had been carried out, in accordance with the Government’s operational plan. “Only one person resigned, which I have not yet considered and which will be discussed in the next few days”, he stated and stressed that all Ministers would take an oath at the next session of the National Assembly. The Ministry of Defence would be fully operational, the complete transfer of duties and documents being completed within the next few days.
1:05
The RS Minister of Interior, Milovan Stankovic, stated in Zvornik that the Ministry will intensify its actions against crime and connect all Centres for Public Security to a unique information system at Republic level, in the near future. During a meeting with Heads and Commanders of Centres for Public Security of the Birac region, he presented the current situation in the Republic and announced future action plans, stressing the need for professionalism.
1:00
Rajko Tomas, Advisor for Economic Affairs to the RS President, stated today in Banja Luka that the European Bank had demonstrated its willingness to assist the RS more intensively and support the development of infrastructure, privatisation of ownership and development of modern management in these areas, by providing credit facilities. After the meeting with a delegation of the European Bank concerning financial assistance for the economic development of the RS, Tomas made it clear that they had also discussed methods of promoting the European Bank in the RS. According to the Head of the European Bank delegation, Paul Monory, they discussed the development of the private sector in financial institutions and other companies. “The mandate of the European Bank is to help countries in transition to a market economy”, Monory stated. He added that he had come to RS with his delegation in order to analyse the means of investment, whether through capital or credit. Monory stated that the bank had signed two contracts for reconstruction with BiH, and part of this amount will be forwarded to the RS; and it should spent in the sectors of transport, especially in the repair of bridges and roads, and energy.
2:00
The Vice-president of the RS Economic Chamber, Svetislav Mudrenovic, and the President of the Town Trade Union for construction, accommodation and public utilities in the RS, Mile Ribic, have signed the eleventh, and last, collective contract which regulates relations among employers and employees in construction companies, accommodation and in public utilities activities.
1:00
After a meeting with Cuneo Kurosaki, the representative of the Government of Japan, the RS Minister for Energy, Vladimir Dokic, agreed on the adoption of the transmission line which connects Gacko and Mostar; Tuzla and Visegrad; and Tuzla with Banja Luka. The donor of this project is the Government of Japan.
1:30
At a session of FR Yugoslavia Government, chaired by Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, the Draft Law on Dual Citizenship was passed between FR Yugoslavia and BiH. With ratification of that agreement, all citizens of BiH, especially Serbs and Montenegrins will be able to obtain Yugoslav citizenship, as well as BiH citizenship, in accordance with regulations of FR Yugoslavia.
0:50
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, asked Governments of European countries to continue providing humanitarian aid and contribute to the general stabilisation of BiH. She spoke at a session of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, where the question of DPs was on the agenda. Representative of the RS, Momir Tosic, also spoke to the Council, stressing that the RS was in the favor of Annex 7 of the Dayton Agreement, where the return of refugees would be based on reciprocity. Sadako Ogata emphasised again that the practice of Open Cities was needed for the return of refugees; Sarajevo and Banja Luka were the first ones on the list.
2:00
According to Tanjug, the Belgrade Lawyer, Igor Pantelic, defence counsel for Goran Jelisi}, stated that in the case of Goran Jelisic, a Serb from the RS, the Hague Tribunal had asked for additional material from the Prosecutor, because the Court Council viewed that current evidence was insufficient for the validity of the charge.
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