21 November 97, 19:30
Sarajevo – After the session of the BiH Presidency, CoM Co-chairman Silajdzic said that the Croatian proposal on special relations was not accepted, because it is in discordance with DPA. Silajdzic added that DPA has a constitution/legal articles upon which special relations may be established. He added that although the subject of establishment of diplomatic relations between FRY and BiH was not discussed, it should be done as soon as possible. RS Representative Krajisnik said that there should not be any extension of HR authorisation, because HR cannot be the arbiter of the Dayton, but only the interpreter of the DPA. The allocation of ambassadors and BiH Foreign Policy were also discussed. The BiH FA Minister Prlic said that ambassadors were not elected for Washington, Vienna, London, Budapest and Ottawa.
2:00
Sarajevo – CoM Co-president Tomic discussed the matters of the DPA implementation, Sintra decisions before the meeting in Bonn, and the status of Croats in BiH with US Ambassador Kauzlarich.
1:00
Novi Travnik – Presidency member Zubak participated at the round table of City authorities, where the mater of status of Croats was discussed. The regional Parish Priest Saric said that the purpose of the meeting is to determine whether the Croats will remain here or go away. Talking about the difficult position of the Croats, unsolved murders, the growth of poverty and unemployment, Saric appealed to all Bosniaks, Croats and the World to act and assist with this matter. Zubak assessed the meeting as very significant, and said that such meetings must become traditional because that is the only way to show some results. The Croatian Ambassador to BiH, Bago acclaimed the meeting, and told the Croats: “Stay here, because there is no Federation without you.”
2:30
Sarajevo – The Provisional Elections Subcommittee (PES) made a decision to remove three names from the SDS election list, by the numbers of 2,4, and 6, because of the violation of Elections Rules and Regulations. These names are Milovan Regoda, Vojislav Maksimovic, and Borislav Bojic. Another decision was to remove two candidates for each day when Karadzic’s posters are present in the elections area.
- OSCE Spokesman for Banja Luka, Hockinos said that the first results should be known a week after the elections, and final results two weeks after closing of polling stations.
- HR Westendorp said that the pre-elections are a big step towards the democratisation of this area. Westendorp stressed the importance of the fact that all citizens are voting tomorrow, and it is their free will. Westendorp stressed that there are some problems in the DPA implementation, and pointed out the importance of the meeting in Bonn, where this problems could be solved.
- OSCE Ambassador Frowick said that tomorrow’s elections are a chance for the democratisation process in BiH.
2:00
Westendorp’s statement – As long as war criminals are free, there will be no normal life in BiH, not only for ethical reasons, but also because of their influence on the politics and economy in the country. If they do not wish to come by themselves to the Tribunal, the BiH entities are obliged to extradite them. The worst possibility is that the indicted are taken by force, but they will have to come to the Hague anyway. HR Westendorp said that the reforms of institutions and the law are in procedures, especially the reform of the joint institutions. The BiH economy is growing. The Quick Start Package, that will regulate the BiH economy was adopted, but not implemented, said Westendorp adding that, the resistance of the authorities towards the DPA prevented progress in many areas of the reconstruction of civilian and democratic society. Westendorp added that at the meeting in Bonn, many of these problems will be discussed and that a solution is expected for many of these items. Westendorp added that many other relevant subjects will also be discussed such as preventing corruption, media reconstruction and the return of refugees.
- UN Special Envoy Eide said that the joint police forces in BiH were established with assistance of the International police, and the process of police reform in RS was also commenced. “This country has great potential, despite the destruction caused by war, because it has a number of highly educated people, and natural resources. – UNHCR Mission Head said that since the DPA was signed, more than 400.000 people returned to their homes.
- OSCE Ambassador Frowick said that the IC will face growing resistance to the DPA implementation if the former Bosnian Serb leader, Karadzic is not brought to justice.
- SFOR spokesman said that SFOR is ready to arrest war criminals if the IC bring such a decision.
2’30”
Kravice – The exhumation of the victims from Srebrenica proceeds in the area of Kravice village. 56 bodies were found so far. The President of the Missing Persons Committee, Masovic said that during past months, 130 victims were found. The evidences clearly show that there were children among the victims, and also clear traces of torture. In the last year, this team along with the experts of the Hague Tribunal, collected the remains of more than 1.600 killed Srebrenicans. Gratitude was addressed to Ambassador Klein, who enabled the exhumation to carry on faster and in easier circumstances.
1:30