02 November 97, 19:30
Chairman of the BiH Presidency Alija Izetbegovic accompanied by PM Edhem Bicakcic and Minister Rasim Kadic and Ahmet Smajic paid a visit to Bugojno. After the talks held behind closed doors, PM Bicakcic told the press that revival of economy in this region was the main topic on the agenda. The Federation PM expressed hope that sanctions against Bugojno would soon be lifted.The delegation also visited Travnik and held talks with local officials. The talks dwelt on security situation in that area. PM Bicakcic pledged that the Government’s commitment to provide funds for the cantonal police in order to improve security situation in the area and thus enhance return of refugees.
2:00
he media featured a report on heating gas which has finally arrived in Sarajevo. The news was given a high profile. The company Sarajevo gas advised caution with handling of gas installations.
1:00
More than 140 families have returned to the ZOS near Doboj under the RS control. According to the report, more than 2000 requests for return have been approved. The report underlined that return of Bosniaks to the settlements Hodzici and Skola and contacts with the RS authorities passed without any incidents.
1:00
In a lengthy report on the issue of the port Ploce, the media gave a brief resume of previous meetings and correspondence exchanged between BiH and Croatia. Last week, the Croatian Government canceled a meeting on the issue with an explanation that it was premature to discuss the issue before the decisions related to the agreement on special relations between BH and Croatia are fully implemented.
Minister Muratovic underlined that the BiH side took a view that the rental of the port Ploce should not be connected to the agreement on special relations and that this view was also supported by US officials at the Zagreb meeting. We believe that the US will take steps to accelerate this process, pointed Muratovic.
High Representative Carlos Westendorp supported resolving of this issue and denied legitimacy of conclusion of the agreement between FBiH and Croatia. In Westendorp’s understanding, only BiH can have competencies to appear as a signatory. American experts fully support this view, underlined the report. However, the Croatian side refused the American proposal and Annex 2.
Obviously, the talks on the issue came to a deadlock. But US Special Envoy Robert Gelbard’s visit next week will certainly help overcome this impasse, concluded the report.
2:50