13 November 97, 19:30
Sarajevo – BiH President Izetbegovic conveyed to Croatian Special Envoy Greguric, his answer to the Croatian proposal about special relations with BiH. In Greguric’s separate meetings with Izetbegovic, Presidency member Zubak, and the Federation Co-president Ganic, the issues were the current relations between the two countries, implementation of the Washington agreement and of the DPA, as well as the Croatian proposals. Greguric thinks this is a good initiative, and there was no need to refuse it before the official consideration. Greguric also said that the matters of joint market, and free trading zones are not at issue and that these matters were not brought up in order to cause a division but to strengthen BiH. Greguric said that the matters of the Ploce harbour and transfer through Neum were too much politicised. He also added that Croatia has an intention to develop special relations with RS eventually.
– In his letter to Tudjman, Izetbegovic says that special relations should not be put under wider institutional authorities, but that the councils with two secretaries should be formed. As for the agreements about common market, free trade zone and customs union, Izetbegovic said that these should be established on the level of the a state, and not only one of the entities. Izetbegovic said that the proposals were refused because they ran counter to the DPA.
07:00
Sarajevo – BiH foreign policy, and authorities of the state institutions were the main issues at today’s CoM session. CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic said that since there are some questions concerning the CoM and the Presidency authorities, and this matter should be solved once and for all. CoM Co-chairman Bosic said that the CoM so far dealt with agreements about international donations and finances, but that this matter should also be cleared up in order to avoid possible misunderstandings. Tomic said that this issue of authorities between CoM and the Presidency are put the DPA under the question, for it cannot be explained in two different ways.
2:30
Sarajevo – The reports of CAFAO were accepted unanimously at today’s session of the Federation Government. It was also agreed that customs exceptions are valid up to December 12. The Federal Government also gave orders to the Financial police to overview all the reports of the Federal Reserves Directorate in Sarajevo and Mostar, and customs offices, and to determine the responsibility.
2:30
Mostar – The HDZ representatives refused to sign decisions from the agreement about the establishment of municipality councils for six municipalities of Mostar. Because of this, the regional OHR Head Sir Martin Garrod and OSCE Director for Mostar Foley addressed a letter to HR Westendorp and OSCE Ambassador Frowick, informing them about the possibility of sanctions in case of further obstructions. As a result of the HDZ obstruction, the temporary elections committee will be asked to send a member of each council in the municipality of Mostar to revoke the first session of the Council on November 18.
2:00
Brcko – The constitutive session of the Municipality Council is still proceeding. Up to the moment, the city Mayor was elected, as well as his two deputies. Also, the Head of the Police Station in Brcko was elected as well as his deputy.
1:30
Donji Vakuf – was visited today by a five-member delegation who represented the Serbs inhabiting Donji Vakuf before the war. The visit was organised by OHR, UNHCR and SFOR. City Mayor Terzic said that Donji Vakuf is ready to implement Annex 7 of the DPA, and that Serbs who currently live outside of Donji Vakuf are, and will always be, the citizens of Donji Vakuf.
1:30
Sarajevo – The Federal Minister of Education Rizvanbegovic presented the Law on Two Parallel Education Programmes, abolished today. Rizvanbegovic said that the Ministry has incited the Federal Government to establish a committee for determination of a unique educational programme that would recognise the multi-ethnic character of BiH. Rizvanbegovic added that this would mean assemble of the two current programmes, current on the Federation territory. Ministers Deputy Pehar said that the recent survey of nationality structure, carried out in schools displayed negative effect.
2:00
FLASH NEWS – Trial to Slobodan Misic who admitted crimes against 80 Bosniaks and Croats began today in Vranje County Court. The indictment covers death punishment or 20 years imprisonment.
– This morning, the residency of Biljana Plavsic’s party SNS in Bijeljina was attacked. The offices were demolished.
– Reacting on threats to councillors of Bratunac, Cazin, Srebrenica and Velika Kladusa municipalities, OHR and OSCE addressed a letter to BiH Presidency, demanding that all officials of the police, courts and other authorities must use only the Hague lists.
1:00