Headlines
- Talks between UK Defense Minister Robertson and BiH Presidency member Radisic on Stability Pact and the work of common institutions;
- Protests of Serbs and Albanians throughout Yugoslavia resume;
- FRY authorities denied visa to Knut Vollebaek;
ICTY issued press release about the charges against Radoslav Brdjanin: planning, organizing and persecution of Muslims and Croats in Bosnian Krajina in 1992, for the political, racial and religious motives.- BETA
Zivko Radisic talked to George Robertson on Summit of Stability Pact. Robertson said that the UK invested a lot in post-war reconstruction of BiH therefore the UK is highly interested in Bosnia joining the European family of nations. Robertson also emphasized the importance of progress in work of common institutions. Radisic acquainted Robertson with consequences of NATO campaign against FRY, but Robertson said that many people suffered because Milosevic did not want to obey the IC. Commenting on the Brdjanin arrest, Robertson said that lasting peace would not be established as long as war criminals are at large. Robertson also said that too much money is being spent on the military in this small country.
KOSOVO and FRY RELATED NEWS
SRT correspondent from Belgrade (Draga Grubic) reports on situation in Kosovo including information on protest of Albanians in Kosovska Mitrovica and opposition rallies in Leskovac and Prokuplje. SRT carried the statement of : SPO, DS, DSS, GSS and DC (Democratic Center).
Exhumations in Sarajevo Canton continue, three bodies exhumed by the RS Commission for missing persons. Attended by Michael Portillo, member of the ICMP. SRT carried the statements of Michael Portillo and Jovo Rosic, Chairman of the RS Commission for MPs.
Sarovic and Gligoric met today with the representatives of the RS Veterans’ Association to discuss the privatization problems and the status of the RS veterans.
BiH CoM Co-Chair, Svetozar Mihajlovic talked to Finnish Ambassador to BiH, Tim Koponen on organization of upcoming Summit of Stability Pact. The item is accompanied with Mihajlovic’s statement.
Credit lines approved for reconstruction of houses in the RS; The RS Banjalucka Bank and Kristal Bank signed the agreements with the Credit Institute for Reconstruction (KfW) from Frankfurt on the 2 250 000 million DM credit lines for the reconstruction of houses in the RS which would be implemented by the end of September. The funds will be allocated to enterprises and natural entities. The director of KfW, Macioszek said that these funds would not be used for building of new houses and apartments in the RS.
It is important that BiH has one intelligence service, said Elizabeth Rehn. Rehn said it was absurd that the AID service was not state-controlled, but under control of a political party, not saying which one.- ONASA
IPTF Press Conference in Banja Luka: UNMiBH expresses concern over the recent events in Drvar when alleged rape was exploited for unrest and beating of Serb returnees. Alun Roberts said that UNMiBH has information that this criminal act was exploited for political ends and that Croats were manipulated into maltreating Serbs. A man suspected for rape is in detention. Roberts also said that returns will continue but warned the Serb returnees that they have to take the responsibility for returning in Drvar at this moment.
Mladen Mihajlovic and Milorad Maksic, two Serbs beaten up by Croats in village Mrdje in the vicinity of Drvar, held a press conference in Banja Luka today. They informed journalists on details. Mladen Mihajlovic wanted to visit his pre-war house when group of Croats attacked and beat him up. Milorad Maksic, Serb returnee has lived in village Mrdje for more than two years, in very good relations with his Croat neighbors. Maksic accused Croat authorities for this incident stressing that Croats (ordinary people) have nothing to do with this.