01 September 97, 19:30
Travnik – The Federal Co-president [sic] Ganic and Federal Minister of Police Zilic went to Travnik in order to support the murder investigation of two Croat citizens in the nearby village of Nula. Regional OSCE chief Joseph was also present. Federation and Middle Bosnian Canton police are investigating the case. It was said that this is the first time in the canton that the joint police has investigated a criminal act. A group of Croat citizens gathered this morning in front of the IPTF building with demands for an intensive investigation. Joseph talked to the representatives of Croat and Bosniak people in Travnik, where he condemned the brutal murder. This murder was also the main subject of separate talks held between Presidency member Zubak and HR Westendorp, US Ambassador Kauzlarich and OSCE Ambassador Frowick. Zubak said that incidents in Middle Bosnia are becoming more and more political. As said by Zubak, this is extremely depressing for the Croat returnees to the canton. UNHCR and OHR also condemned the murder. OHR spokesman Bullivant pointed out the OHR expectations to arrest those responsible.
8’00”
Bijeljina – SFOR soldiers were attacked at the TV transmitter Udrigovo near Bijeljina. After SFOR had secured it, a mob of about 300 Serbs, mostly men, started to throw rocks at SFOR. SFOR announced that no measures had been taken, but if the situation continued, the necessary steps would be taken. The demonstrators were carrying Karadzic posters, and they were apparently led by people equipped with wireless sets who were intermingled with the crowd.
2’00”
Brcko Forces loyal to Karadzic and other criminal circles around him injured three IPTF officers in Brcko yesterday. During the incident, the IPTF precinct was looted and damaged. About 30 UN vehicles were turned over, while 70 were demolished. SFOR evacuated all IPTF personnel except for 70 of them who remained at their base in the centre of Brcko. UN condemned the act of violence, expressing disappointment with RS leaders who did nothing to prevent the violence. Brcko supervisor Farrand met with Municipality President Jusufovic and informed him of all relevant facts. Farrand also reacted to an RS police announcement concerning the visa payment for cars crossing the Brcko bridge, asking for an urgent suspension of these acts.
Newly named police chief in Banja Luka, Ceranic accused Kijac for all the violence against the IC representatives. Ceranic said that all of those who were stirring up hostility had criminal connections.
4’00”
Una/Sana Canton (USC) – The expert team of the USC government began excavations of a mass grave, which is believed to be the one of the largest in BiH, containing several hundred victims, thrown into an 85m deep pit. Federal Prime-Minister Bicakcic visited the locality. No international organisations were present today.
3’00”
Sarajevo – The women from Srebrenica appealed to the European Community, asking for the truth concerning the10,000 missing from Srebrenica, and the arrest of the responsible. HR Rapporteur Rehn said that she will do as much as she can to solve this problem.
2’00”
Sarajevo – BiH President Izetbegovic addressed a letter of condolences to HM the Queen of England, and the British Royal Family, on the occasion of Princess Diana’s death. Foreign Affairs Minister Prlic expressed his condolences to the British Foreign Affairs Minister Cook.
2’00”
Sarajevo – The collegia of the BiH Parliament held a meeting at the OHR. RS representatives were not present at the meeting. The meeting assembled in order to schedule the urgent sessions of both houses of parliament. This is because the Parliament is the only who an verify the usage of $50 million credit approved by the Worlds Bank. Campara said that people of both entities must not be allowed to suffer because of a few obstructers from Pale.
2’30”
Mostar – Mostar Mayor Prskalo said that the HDZ party is seriously considering it’s eventual withdrawal from the elections, if Croat people are not allowed to vote for their candidates in the central zone of Mostar. Prskalo considers that the neutral Mostar zone was not defined by the DPA, so it can not be treated as an election zone. Co-mayor Orucevic said that if amendments on the Canton Constitution are not adopted by September 5, the sanctions against HDZ will be asked from the OHR.
2’00”