The first round of the PIC Conference on BiH ended in Bonn today. The High Representative, Carlos Westendorp, this evening stated that the BiH Presidency members had agreed on the issue of the common passport, the Citizenship Act and the Law on the Work of the BH Council of Ministers. (A report by correspondent from Bonn). The meeting today unanimously concluded that there was no alternative to the DA. The first round made it clear that a military presence would remain necessary after the expiration of the current SFOR mandate. The morning round saw 5-minute speeches by all those who applied to address the meeting. Kinkel, who is hosting the conference, said that a message would be sent from it to those who wish for reconciliation that they would be offered international support on one side, while those who obstruct the implementation of the DA would have to suffer consequences. Kinkel singled out four priorities: the return of refugees, the strengthening of the mandate of the High Representative, regional stabilisation and financial reforms. Westendorp, on his part, said he would not require the Council to revise, but rather to support fully the implementation of his current mandate. Westendorp added that transparent financial procedures were needed in BH, along with the public work of institutions. Krajisnik confirmed the commitment of the RS to implement fully the DA, but not under international dictates. The RS side commented on the draft document that is expected to be released on completion of the conference. Their remarks related to the broader arbitrary role of the High Representative and the role of OSCE in future elections. Krajisnik went on to propose that national courts should take over trials against war crime suspects, and requested an investigation into Muslim crimes against Serb civilians in Sarajevo. Izetbegovic referred to some irregularities and reluctance in the DA implementation process, and supported the idea of a broader mandate for the High Representative. Zubak said that only a united state could guarantee peace and stability in the area. Plavsic’s speech before the conference is expected to focus on the return of refugees, human rights, elections and implementation of the election results.
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The British Foreign Minister, Robin Cook, today stated that the UN Secretary General had appointed Richard Monk, a Senior Police Inspector at the British Ministry of Interior, as the new Head of IPTF in BH.
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According to the U.S. media today, the Bonn conference on BH will show how far the IC would be prepared to go in implementing the DA. The “New York Times” claims that the American side is wedded to the hard-line option which includes the use of pressure, setting conditions for humanitarian help and a broader mandate for SFOR in implementing civilian provisions of the DA. As for the possibility of American troops remaining in BH after their current mandate has expired next summer, the U.S. is expected to make a final decision shortly.
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The U.N today appealed to potential donors to provide $ 406 million needed for humanitarian projects in the territory of the former Yugoslavia in 1998. Reuters report that the appeal came from a meeting of specialist UN agencies in Zagreb today.
U.S. $ 263 million will be allocated for projects in Bosnia alone, whereas the remainder would be spent for projects in the FRY, Croatia and Macedonia.
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The Serbian State Electoral Commission this evening officially stated that Milan Milutinovic and Vojislav Seselj had obtained the largest number of votes cast during the presidential elections on 7th December. The left-wing (43% of the votes) and the Radical candidate (32.19%) will thus run in the next round of the presidential elections scheduled for 21st December. According to the Commission, 52% of registered voters turned out to vote.
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The RS Prime Minister, Gojko Klickovic, today addressed a letter to the Main Judge of the Hague Tribunal, Louise Arbour, asking that the Tribunal’s investigators should undertake a full and objective investigation into Muslim crimes against Serb civilians in Sarajevo during the war.
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The fifth attempt to elect the local mayor and other municipal officials today in Banja Luka failed. 65 of the 70 delegates attended the session today. The present delegates unanimously adopted a proposal by the oldest deputy, Pero Perovi}, who chaired the session, on the establishment of a commission for the election and the nomination of the new municipal official. However, after the commission failed to come up with any solution of the mayor issue, Perovi} adjourned the session and scheduled a resumption for 12:00hrs tomorrow, to remain in session until all of the municipal positions have been occupied.
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A regular session of the RS Ministry of Interior Collegiate took place in Banja Luka today. The session concluded that the Ministry will not allow any illegal personnel changes within certain companies in Banja Luka that were made following SDS’s unilateral dictates. The Ministry will continue to fully and duly respect the legality, constitutionality and credibility of legally elected directors and bosses.
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