bosnet-digest V5 #59 / Feb 08, 1996

From: Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>

Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory

CONTENTS

[01] Reactions/Comments To The Arrests

Via TWatch/TomW

(Cross-posting of summary only is permitted)

Sometime between January 20 and February 2, the Bosnian government arrested Bosnian Serb General Djordje Djukic, Colonel Aleksa Krsmanovic and six others on war crimes charges. Djukic is an aide to Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic. According to Bosnian Serb sources, the general, the colonel and their driver were arrested on their way to talks with IFOR in Sarajevo, but British Brig. Andrew Cumming, speaking for NATO, said he was unaware of any meeting being scheduled. Cumming said Djukic, Krsmanovic and their driver were arrested after taking a wrong turn into Bosnian government territory.

The charges against Djukic and Krsmanovic have to do with killing of civilians during the siege of Sarajevo. According to Bakir Alispahic, a Bosnian security service official, "We have evidence that not only they participated in killing civilians but also helped organise the killing of civilians." None of the eight has been indicted by the ICTY, however, ICTY investigators are talking to the Bosnians and to the suspects.

Three of the other Bosnian Serbs detained, Tese Tesic, Petar Todorovic and Dusan Borovic, are suspected of killing civilians in eastern and southern Bosnia. According to Bosnian government sources, the driver and two other Bosnian Serbs who were arrested will be set free soon, after being questioned.

The Tribunal has the option of either issuing indictments or making a formal request to the Bosnian government to defer its own proceedings against the men, which would enable the men to be held in custody pending indictment. Deferral was the legal route used in the Tadic case in November of 1994. Tadic was indicted in February 1995. ...

The principal focus of European states has been the effect the arrests will have on the implementation of the peace accords. Italy, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said Tuesday, "This is a development which risks putting in serious danger the implementation of the peace accords and the ability of various communities to live together in the Bosnian capital." - ----------------------------------------------------------------------

B&H Gov't

``We have evidence that not only they participated in killing civilians but also helped organize the killing of civilians... Since there exists evidence that both officers were involved in committing war crimes against civilians, we were authorized and obliged to start an investigation,'' chief of the Bosnian security service, Bakir Alispahic.

Under the accord, people suspected of war crimes are supposed to be handed over to the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague, but so far none of the nationalists held by the gov't was indicted.

The two Bosnian Serb officers arrested by the Bosnian government will be freed if they are innocent of war crimes, Bosnian Prime Minister Hasan Muratovic said on Tuesday.

``The war lasted four years and there will be a lot of small cases, but these small events cannot endanger the whole (peace) process. And there is a lot of effort to solve this problem, I assure you... I must say that whatever happens there is so much pressure on us that I cannot describe. You know that we all have to deal with war criminals... There will ne no peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina until war criminals are taken to the Hague Tribunal or some other court. It is undescribable what crime was done in Bosnia-Herzegovina. You know only part of it,'' PM Muratovic said.

``So we must search for criminals. And it may be that we sometimes arrest innocent people... If they are not war criminals, they will be freed,'' Muratovic added. - -----------------------------------------------------------------------

War Crimes Tribunal

``The prosecution has been given the names of the (eight) accused and details of their alleged offences... The prosecutors' office will further investigate the allegations and, if it's interested in taking over any cases, will apply to have them deferred to The Hague...'' war crimes tribunal spokesman Christian Chartier said.

``He [Justice Goldstone] will then have to make a decision. Either to stop the case or to take it over. Or, where suspects interest us but have not been formally indicated, we'll ask for them to be kept in custody...''

Chartier said earlier investigators were already in Sarajevo interviewing the three Serbs detained last week. They would now try to talk to the other five. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------

IFOR/Bildt

``I would hope that the matter can be cleared up very soon because it has been an effort of mine to have confidence in freedom of movement for Bosnian Serb representatives to come freely to Sarajevo and have talks there... Legal rights must be respected in all circumstances....If there are no indictments, then freedom is clearly what applies to everyone....And I trust Prime Minister Muratovic that that will be done very urgently indeed.'' Carl Bildt said.

``IFOR (NATO Implementation Force) now calls upon all parties to exercise restraint and patience, and to show a continued spirit of cooperation and tolerance to enable the excellent progress so far achieved in this peace process to continue,'' NATO said in a statement on Tuesday night.

``It would be a pity if this encouraged a retaliatory reaction... I trust that there is a considerable maturity amongst the parties that we will not get into one of these tit-for-tat situations,'' Brig. Andrew Cumming, the Brit in charge of Joint Operations Center commented. He also described the arrests as ``provocative and inflammatory... People are finding it very difficult to live together again,'' he said. ``A small thing like this could have a reaction out of all proportion.'' - -------------------------------------------------------------------

Nationalist Bosnian Serbs

``We have decided to stop negotiations and not to go to the Moslem part any longer until we get the ... Serbs released,'' nationalist Bosnian Serb spokesman Dragan Bozanic said by telephone from Pale. ``The problem is someone is not obeying the Dayton agreement... We are expecting NATO to help us solve the problem.''

``There are 3,000 cars that travel through Ilidza every day... But you can be sure that if we are not given free passage by the Muslims, we will not give free passage to them. They are making a grave, grave mistake. If these men are not freed the Muslims will find themselves once again trapped inside Sarajevo,'' a nationalist Bosnian Serb security officer commented.

Opinions expressed/published on BosNews/BosNet-B do NOT necessarily always reflect the views of (all of the members of) Editorial Board, and/or moderators, nor any of their host institutions.

Murat Erkocevic <[email protected]>

Dzevat Omeragic <[email protected]>

Davor Wagner <[email protected]>

Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>

[02] Souvenir For Gen. Lapresle: Without Autograph

Bosnia mediator gets a souvenir, a photo of Mladic

SARAJEVO, Feb 5 (Reuter) - The helicoper blades were already turning for High Representative Carl Bildt's departure from the Serb-held village of Kopaci in eastern Bosnia when his deputy, French General Bertrand De Lapresle, spied a souvenir he wanted.

On the wall of the room where Bildt and De Lapresle, a military adviser, had been meeting local Serb officials was a poster and calendar featuring a photograph of Bosnian Serb army commander General Ratko Mladic.

Mladic, twice indicted by the International Tribunal for War Crimes, continues to run the Bosnian Serb military despite being banned from such a position by the Dayton peace accord.

A witness present in the room during last Friday's visit said that as Bildt looked at his watch, eager to depart, De Lapresle asked his Serb host if he could have the poster and calendar.

The host replied he had an extra at his home and the two of them hopped in the man's car and drove off to fetch it.

De Lapresle then took the souvenir back to Sarajevo with him in the French army helicopter, the witness said.

The French five-star general and one-time commander of U.N. forces in the former Yugoslavia was not in Sarajevo and available for comment on Monday. A spokesman in Bildt's office had no information on the matter. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------

[03] "HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH" DEMANDS INVESTIGATION AGAINST MILOSEVIC

New York, Feb 4, 1996 (Press TWRA) - "Human Rights Watch/Helsinki" released a report on the recent crimes in B-H, particularly in northwestern Bosnia. From August to November last year, Serbs from the area of Prijedor, Doboj, Kljuc, Ljubija, B. Dubica, B. Novi and B. Gradiska, brutally expelled more than 6,OOO non-Serbs from their houses and fate of at least 2,OOO driven males has not been known and the fear is that they have been killed. Formations of Z.R. Arkan, financed & supported by Serbia's government, were leading in atrocities. There was no fighting in most areas around Banjaluka but the position of few remaining non-Serbs is very poor there, and the international community does not do enough to protect those people and Serbs who do not support the genocide. "HR Watch" criticizes the British IFOR which refuses to act as prevention deep into the area remaining only along the separation lines without interests in occurrence elsewhere, though the peace accord should brought "ethnic cleansing" to an end. "HR Watch" demands investigation in the role of S. Milosevic in the crimes, stressing that he, if proved guilty, must be sentenced regardless of his role in the peace process as it would not threaten, but strengthen a stable peace. /end/ A.S.

[04] USA WISHES SILAJDZIC FOR PRIME MINISTER

Sarajevo, Feb 6, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Diplomatic source close to the Bosnian government who wishes to be anonymous informed that the US Secretary of State W. Christopher, during his recent visit to Bosnia, expressed his government's wish to see Haris Silajdzic as prime minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina. (end) A.S.

[05] BOSNIAN SOLDIERS IN AUSTRALIA AGAINST THEIR WILL

Canberra, Feb 6, 1996 (Press TWRA) - "Hundred-three Bosnian soldiers who were recently released from prisons in Serbia, were sent to Australia against their will", claims their commander, Osmo Zimic. Zimic also criticizes the UNHCR, whose spokesman claimed these soldiers demanded departure to Australia and by no means return to Bosnia for they would allegedly face criminal charges as deserters there. "This is not true", says Zimic. Australian immigration & ethnic affairs office spokesman says he was informed on the Zimic's allegation from the Bosnian embassy in Canberra and that the investigation was initiated. (end) A.S.

[06] POLICE HOUR IN "SERB SARAJEVO"

Sarajevo, Feb 6, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Karadzic's militia introduced police hour from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. next day in the parts of Sarajevo it still controls, despite these parts formally were handed over to Federation. Bosnian authorities, opposition and media express anger over 45 days prolonged Serb police presence in the still occupied parts of the capital which, according to the Dayton peace accord, belongs to the Federation. It is said to be a dangerous precedence - the international community, i.e. Carl Bildt, not the Serbs is violating the peace accord. The collapse of the Dayton peace accord would give arguments to those who claim the preservation of integrity of Bosnia and Sarajevo is not realistic. Furthermore, Karadzic's Serbs were given 45 days to finish transporting and destroying infrastructure and equipment in the parts of Sarajevo they must withdraw from. (end) A.S.

[07] KARADZIC REMAINS PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Belgrade, Feb 5, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Momcilo Krajisnik, "president of Republika Srpska parliament", stated for the press that it was out of the question for Karadjic to resign his present post, as it was demanded in Dayton. During communist Yugoslavia Karadjic and Krajisnik were sentenced for embezzlement and theft. Later, they said they were arrested because they were working for Serbian national interest".

"President Karadjic was elected by people. He has democratic right to stay in that position. The changes in the Republic Srpska leadership should not be expected before the elections in September. Dr Karadjic is absolutely the most popular person in Republika Srpska and the most influential in the goverment. The international community is wrong when it tries to isolate President Karadjic", stated Krajisnik, reported BETA Agency, according to Reuters. (end) A.S.

[08] RHEN ON CITIZENS OF SREBRENICA AND MASS GRAVES NEAR BRATUNAC

Bratunac, Feb 5,1996 (Press TWRA) - The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in former Yugoslavia, Elisabeth Rhen visited Srebrenica and Bratunac and talked to local Serbian civilians and military authorities, inquiring about the destiny of three out of eight thousand disappeared Bosniaks. Serbs have taken away those men in the unknown direction after the occupation of Srebrenica. E. Rhen stated that Serbian commander Miroslav Deronjic told her that Bosniaks who disappeared "were killed in the battles, and after were buried near Srebrenica", reported AFP. E. Rehn later stated that the Serbian officials in charge told her that Bosniaks from Srebrenica were not in their custody but she also added that it does not mean that these people were killed.

Mass grave was discovered near Bratunac in which Serbs after the massacre buried 61 Bosniak. (end) S.K.

[09] ANTONIO CASSESE ON INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL

Rome, The Hague, Feb 2,1996 (Press TWRA) - In an interview for Italian newspapers "Repubblica", President of the International Tribunal, Antonio Cassese, who in the last few days visited Zagreb, Sarajevo and Belgrade, said about Tribunal's perspectives: "In two, three years, we will sentence the most responsible and send the massage that world will not let war criminals walk unpunished. The present Chief Prosecutor R. Goldstone will withdraw by the July,1996. When he was appointed as prosecutor, the President of the South Africa Nelson Mandela, appointed him for a judge of the Constitutional Court of this country. Then it was agreed that Goldstone will work for the Tribunal for two years. Out of four proposed candidates UN General Secretary B. Ghali elected a women, who was very pleased to accept this duty, and soon she will be recognized by Security Council. I warned the authorities in Zagreb that their cooperation with EU depends on extradition of war criminals. I had hard and very heavy talks with Serbian Minister Milutinovic, and warned him that sanctions can be imposed on FRY again unless for example, the three officers accused for crimes in Vukovar, who live in Belgrade are not extradited to the Tribunal". (end) S.K.

[10] ELECTIONS IN B-H - ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1996

Sarajevo, Feb 3, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Temporary electoral commission held its first session in Sarajevo led by the head of the OSCE mission, the US ambassador Robert Frowick, in the presence of the IPC high official Carl Bildt. It was decided and announced that elections for Presidency and the B-H Parliament, the B-H Federation and Republika Srpska and its presidency would be held on September 14, this year. /end/ A.S.

[11] IFOR FRENCH SOLDIERS DEVASTATE "SKENDERIJA"

Sarajevo, Feb 3, 1996 (Press TWRA)- Representatives of the Skenderija center headed with its director Sadik Hasanbegovic, held the press conference due to continuing devastation of Skenderija by IFOR French soldiers. "If they continue taking away everything at their hand's reach, the USD 3.5 mill high war damage of Skenderija center would increase for additional USD 1.5 million. We informed the city authorities and the Republic and the State Committee for cooperation with the UN but received no reply," said Hasanbegovic. Amir Hadziomeragic, assistant of the State Committee for cooperation with the UN says that on Thursday IFOR was in writing requested to stop taking away the equipment from Skenderija to the Rajlovac barracks, in still occupied part of Sarajevo, without even taking inventory in the owner's presence. Urgent return of all that has been taken away is also demanded. /end/ A.S.

[12] GREECE AVOIDED EXTRADITING OF SERB CRIMINAL TO BELGIUM

Geneva, Feb 3, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Belgium foreign minister Eric Derycke expressed his regret due to Greece's decision to extradite a Serb criminal to Belgrade although Belgium had demanded his extradition before, AFP reports. The disputed criminal is Darko Asanin handed over to Belgrade due to minor infringements, who six years ago, killed the leader of the Albanian community to Brussels, Enver Had. "Our demand had to be met due to solidarity within the European Union. Now, we must demand Asanin's extradition from FR Yugoslavia which is the problem as Belgrade has not been recognized yet," says Derycke.

Greece and Belgium are in a dispute at EU as Greece wants Belgrade to be immediately recognized while Belgium wants to check readiness of FR Yugoslavia to meet its responsibilities. Germany shares Belgium's view while Britain and France agree with Greece. /end/ A.S.

[13] "TRUE SERBIA" - THE LATEST "GREATER SERBIA"

Belgrade, Feb 4, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Serb writer Momcilo Selic released a "Declaration against Serb capitulation at Dayton" signed by over 5O Serb intellectuals among them children's writer Rajko Petrov Nogo and curator of the Museum at Vukovar, Nikola Kusovac. On the "Studio B" of the independent TV, Selic said: "I want to remind today's and future Serbs of their fatherland, their homeland, their heritage. The map includes the areas from Karlobag, Gospic, Plasko, Sisak and Daruvar on the northwest, from Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Gostivar on the southeast - the greatest part of ex-Yugoslavia with the exception of Slovenia, a small part of Croatia and southern Macedonia. /end/ A.S.

Opinions expressed/published on BosNews/BosNet-B do NOT necessarily always reflect the views of (all of the members of) Editorial Board, and/or moderators, nor any of their host institutions.

Murat Erkocevic <[email protected]>

Dzevat Omeragic <[email protected]>

Davor Wagner <[email protected]>

Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>

[14] Feb. 8, 96 (Eagleton Stopped; Detentions OK; Brajkovic Quits?)

- - Gen. Mladic, indicted for war crimes in a statement: ``It could be better.'' - - "... to the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and requests it to arrest provisionally, on behalf of the tribunal, two suspects... " Tribunal - - Crotia's Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak: ``Only after the law is passed will there be legal preconditions and mechanisms for extraditions, including that of General Blaskic...'' - - HDZ WANTS SARAJEVO AS DISTRICT WITH PARITY AUTHORITIES - - CROAT EXTREMISTS THREAT H. KOSCHNICK - - GRACHOV IGNORES BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S AUTHORITIES - - B-H, USA, ITALY AND ICTY ON ARRESTING SERB OFFICERS - - SERBS PREVENTED EAGLTON'S VISIT TO VOGOSCA FACTORY ... - - Commentary by Tom W. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

``The prosecutor, Justice Richard Goldstone, has issued today a request ... to the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and requests it to arrest provisionally, on behalf of the tribunal, two suspects... The prosecutor is considering whether to indict Gen. Djukic and Col. Krsmanovic before the tribunal,'' the tribunal said in a statement. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

``The Croatian constitution disallows extradition of its citizens. But we have announced we will pass a special law regulating our relations with the International Court in The Hague... The law is being drafted now and will be processed in the government next week ... The law will precisely define our relations with The Hague and I think all possible doubts will be resolved,'' Croatian Justice Minister Miroslav Separovic told the Croatian weekly newspaper Globus. Croatia despite its pledge to cooperate, failed to extradite seven indicted Croats.

``Only after the law is passed will there be legal preconditions and mechanisms for extraditions, including that of General Blaskic,'' Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak said.

Tribunal spokesman Christian Chartier commented: ``We appreciate it as one more sign of cooperation...''

[15] ANTONIO CASSESE: TRIBUNAL ENTIRELY AUTHORIZED

The Hague, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - After the visit to Zagreb and Belgrade, Italian judge A. Cassese, president of the ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for ex-Yugoslavia), issued the statement. Croatia has not yet adopted the Status on cooperation with ICTY, although two years ago and last year again, ICTY sent it four requests to do so. The promise was given that the Status will soon be on the Sabor agenda. Zagreb demands the accused Croats stand trial while free but it is ICTY which can makes decisions about it only after the accused once face the ICTY Tribunal Board. Croatia has not arrested and extradited the accused among them Croatian army high ranking official Tihomir Blaskic. Zagreb claims the accused can appear before the Tribunal only of they decide on it voluntarily.

After the Dayton accord, Serbia agreed to open the ICTY office in Belgrade, but has not recognized the ICTY competence.

The judge Cassese emphasizes that referring of Zagreb and Belgrade to their legislation, in accord to which their constitutions forbid extradition of their citizens to foreign courts, as such arguments are clearly rejected by several international documents including the decision of permanent International Court of Justice brought in 1993. /end/ A.S.

[16] B-H, USA, ITALY AND ICTY ON ARRESTING SERB OFFICERS

Sarajevo, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - B-H government officials Bakir Alispahic & Mirza Hajric said the Government complied with the ICTY decisions, so if the Tribunal investigators find Serb officers not guilty, they will be released. There is a suspicion that gen. Djukic, col. Krsmanovic, soldiers Dusan Borovic, Teso Tesic, Petar Todorovic committed a number of civilian killings in Foca, Zvornik, Visegrad, Bijeljina and Vlasenica (east Bosnia). Among the released will be Djukic and Krsmanovic's driver Radenko Todorovic and two more arrested Serbs-Mico Dosenovic and Milan Bogunovic as mere belonging to Karadzic's paramilitary is not regarded as a crime. Journalists do not know what status other two prisoners Branislav Lokid Zoran Spasojevic and Branislav Lolic have. B. Alispahic says that Djukic and Krsmanovic were arrested in a large-scale police action after information on their movement. Others were arrested in routine checks.

Rome - On behalf of EU, its presiding state for the first six months, Italy expressed concern about the latest events in Sarajevo where Serb authorities refuse to contact the B-H government till their captured officers are released. "The case seriously threatens the peace agreement implementation and possibility for the two communities' coexistence in the Bosnian capital," claims Italian ministry of foreign affairs.

Washington - The State Department spokesman Glyn Davies estimated as correct the Bosnian government's decision to arrest 8 Serb officers and soldiers captured late last month and early this month under suspicion they had committed war crimes. Davies says that the ICTY officials talk with the arrested in Sarajevo to see if there are grounds for further investigation. /end/ A.S.

[17] SERBS PREVENTED EAGLTON'S VISIT TO VOGOSCA FACTORY

Sarajevo, Feb 8,1996 (Press TWRA) - Serbs did not allow Special UN Coordinator for Sarajevo William Eagleton to enter the arm factory "Pretis" in Vogosca. They drown him away from that territory. Serbs continue, at the factory and elsewhere to destroy and take away the equipment. This is possible because the deadline for the withdrawal of Serb's police was postponed, decision made by C. Bildt. Bildt announced the possibility to reduce the aid for Serbian entity for the amount of damage Serbs made lately on the territory from which they have to withdraw. (end) A.S.

[18] GRACHOV IGNORES BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S AUTHORITIES

Ugljevik, Feb 2,1996 (Press TWRA) - Russian Defence Minister Pavel Grachov and NATO Commander George Joulwan, held talks in Ugljevik. Joulwan expressed the content for the deployment of 16OO Russian soldiers in US IFOR sector in B-H last week. Joulwan said that US and Russian soldiers in B-H understanding, and emphasized that relations between Russia and NATO are good. Grachov is visiting Russian soldiers in B-H, and Serbian authorities in Ugljevik and Bijeljina, and afterwards he will go to Belgrade, where he will talk with Serbian officials. Joulwan did not held any official talks with legal B-H authorities. (end) A.S.

[19] MOSTAR'S SGV - SUPPORT TO KOSCHNIK ARBITRATION

Mostar, Sarajevo, Feb 2,1996 (Press TWRA) - SGV (Serbian Civil Council) of Mostar supports Hans Koschnik and his decision on organization of Mostar, reported B-H Radio. (end) A.S.

[20] HOLBROOKE, BILDT, MURATOVIC, SILAJDZIC IN DAVOS

Davos, Feb 2,1996 (Press TWRA) - Commenting his decision to extend for 45 days the stay of Serbian police in Sarajevo, Carl Bildt said: "We wanted to avoid the exodus of the population and the new humanitarian tragedy, and secure the "gentle" transfer of the power. We are the authorities there and our decisions must be implemented". R. Holbrooke reacted to this: "High representative thinks there is answer to that. B-H Government thinks there is no answer".

Bosnian Prime Minister Muratovic said that B-H Government gave C. Bildt seven days to change his decision or it will re-examine the continuation of his mandate in B-H. In the mean time Sarajevo continues to maintain the contact with Bildt's deputy Michael Steiner.

Former Prime Minister Silajdzic also addressed the Davos meeting. He pleaded for keeping the deadlines of promised help for the renewal of B-H, and that B-H becomes joint member of EU.

In his speech R. Holbrooke demanded from the Prime Ministers of B-H, Croatia and FRY, Muratovic, Matesa and Kontic, to put more effort in the implementation of Dayton agreement."I want to warn the sides to stop wasting the time. Their Governments talk to each other only when outside negotiators make pressure. They should not be sitting here talking to the representatives of western countries. You should have been sitting in the corner for three days and negotiate among yourselves". (end) A.S.

[21] CROAT EXTREMISTS THREAT H. KOSCHNICK

Mostar, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - After the press-conference, at which H. Koschnick declared his decree on Mostar, several hundred extreme Croat nationalists gathered in front of the seat of EU Administration. They shouted slogans against Europe, cursed Hans Koschnick & his associates, and demanded "Croatian Mostar". When Koschnick tried to drive to eastern Mostar, to open there a new building of Herzegovina's Archive, he was prevented by the Croat demonstrators, who denied traffic and assaulted Koschnick's car, rolling it and jumping on it, and jeopardizing Mr Koschnick, who then returned to the EU administration's house. The gathered Croats were at Rondo square addressed by their mayor, Brajkovic, who told them that he resigned to position of Koschnick's aide, and cancelled all relations with the EU Administration.

According to the latest news, Koschnick requested assistance of IFOR to unblock his Administration's seat. (end) A.S.

[22] GOLDSTONE INTERESTED IN DJUKIC AND KRSMANOVIC

The Hague, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - The ICTY Main Prosecutor R. Goldstone called on B-H Government to keep in jail arrested Serb officers, general Djordje Djukic & colonel Aleksa Krsmanovic, AFP reported. Goldstone decided so after ICTY's investigators checked the guilt of the arrested. B-H Government's official, B.Alispahic said Djukic & Krsmanovic will be kept as long as necessary, and than extradited to ICTY. Alispahic refused the claim that Bosnian Government abused the truce to arrest the officers, saying: "The truce does not cover neither Ratko Mladic, nor his aide Djukic".

Alexander Ivanko, UN Civil Sector spokesman, said that B-H authorities allowed, in accord with the Dayton agreement, the UN Civil Sector representatives to visit the arrested Serb officers. No other signs of deterioration of the situation were registered, except Serb announcement of cancellation of all negotiations and connections with the Bosnian Government and the international representatives, Ivanko said. (end) A.S.

[23] HDZ WANTS SARAJEVO AS DISTRICT WITH PARITY AUTHORITIES

Sarajevo, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Croatian democratic union (HDZ) of Sarajevo sent request to Carl Bildt, Kresimir Zubak and Ejup Ganic, for Sarajevo to be a district, which local assembly would have two Houses - the upper to include the equal number of Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs (five each). Consensus of both Houses would be necessary for all decisions except operating procedures and statutes. The lower House would proportionally represent the Sarajevo population - according to the latest census 5O.1% of whom were Muslims, 26.1% Serbs and 7.4% Croats. The upper house could function only in presence of two thirds of Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs who would adopt decisions by majority vote. In that way either Croat or Serb representatives might block the activity of Sarajevo's District Assembly. (end) A.S.

[24] HANS KOSCHNICK RELEASED ARBITRARY DECISION FOR MOSTAR

Mostar, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - European administrator to Mostar Hans Koschnick released this morning a decision which he, as an arbiter, brought on the establishment of the town itself and the wider area of Mostar, on six counties' borders as well as the town district including the railway station, airport, three hydro-electric power plants and three drinking water springs. Three counties include Bosniak and three Croat majority, each. Whether the decision on the central town's district opposes the B-H Federation constitution and the Dayton accord as Kresimir Zubak and other Croat leaders claim, will be judged additionally. Croat politicians to Mostar continue criticizing Koschnick's decision. Croat mayor of Mostar Mijo Brajkovic said last night he would not accept the arbitration if it was unfavourable for Croat national interests announcing his resignation as a sign of a protest to his post of Koschnick's assistant.

"Not only EU, also the US State Department with all its authority back my decision." warned Koschnick. /end/ A.S.

[25] CROATIAN GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED THE ELECTION OF JOZO RADOS

Zagreb, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Croatian government has nothing against the appointment of J. Rados as the Zagreb mayor, said vice president of Croatian government Borislav Skegro in the last night's BBC program. In the same program Jozo Rados said he had learnt a few days ago that the government would not oppose his election but that he was provided the information in unusual manner, i.e., by unofficial sources. Rados says he cannot foresee the president Tudjman's decision depending on many things unaccessible to the public and Rados alone. Still, Tudjman's decision will probably be dependent on the relations within the leading party HDZ, political situation in Croatia and impact of foreign factors, says Rados.

The former Zagreb mayor Branko Miksa (HDZ), regarded by Croatia's authorities as the mayor in the interim period, called the 5Oth ssession of the town's leadership, tomorrow. /end/ A.S.

[26] MILLON ON WAR CRIMINALS

Paris, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - French defence minister Charles Millon called the international community to find new ways to soon arrest of the war criminals from Bosnia, specially after new discoveries of mass graves. /end/ A.S.

[27] SPANISH DELEGATION IN CROATIA, B-H AND SERBIA

Madrid, Feb 7, 1996 (Press TWRA) - Spanish diplomacy head Carlos Westendorp will lead Spanish delegation in visit to Croatia, B-H and Serbia from Feb 12 to 15, to find out the possibilities for Spain to participate in reconstruction of those states. /end/A.S. - -----------------------------------------------------------------

Britain's top woman in the Foreign Office, Pauline Neville-Jones, is being sent as senior adviser to Carl Bildt, at Bildt's request. Neville-Jones was Britain's representative at Dayton. Britain was also one of Bildt's two strongest backers for High Representative. Unfortunately, Neville-Jones is retiring at the end of June.

Tom Warrick Coalition for International Justice - ----------------------------------------------------------------------

``This is a big test for them (NATO),'' nationalist Bosnian Serb military commander Gen. Mladic commented in response to the arrests of Gen. Djukic. ``They will either show the Turks in Bosnia that all people have equal treatment or IFOR will turn into an armed force, of course again against the Serbs.''

``We won't speak about this now but if IFOR, which should guarantee freedom to the Serbs, does not do something urgently to return Djukic, Krsmanovic and Todorovic ...we will have to think about the possible freezing of relations with IFOR.''

The newspaper's editor declined to reveal where the interview, given on Monday, took place.

About his possible arrest Mladic commented: ``I don't know about the opening of the Hague tribunal office in Belgrade or whether it was opened for arresting Karadzic and me... It would be best to ask those who think they can arrest Karadzic and me.''

Explaining his recent public silence, Mladic said he had had ``better and more pressing things to do'' than speak to the media. ``How is it where you are?'' Telegraf editor Vladan Dinic asked Mladic.

``It could be better.'' - ------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Cross-posting of commentary only permitted)

According to public reports, the Tribunal has asked the Bosnian government to hold Bosnian Serb General Djordje Djukic and Colonel Aleksa Krsmanovic for possible indictment as war criminals. The most likely subject of an indictment would be for their alleged involvement in killings of civilians around Sarajevo. I've spent a fair amount of time today digging into what is known about the two. After quite a few false trails, there are a couple of tantalizing possibilities. I'm not ready to go on record about this just yet, but this could be big; on the other hand, of course, it could turn into nothing. However, I think I'm starting to understand why Mladic (and Milosevic) may be willing to risk a complete breakdown in the Dayton process to keep Djukic and Krsmanovic from being transferred to The Hague. For the obverse side of the same coin, it may become imperative for the Tribunal's supporters to insist that, if the Tribunal decides it wants Djukic and Krsmanovic, nothing should be allowed to stand in the Tribunal's way. It is even conceivable that the prospects for a lasting peace in the Balkans may depend on Djukic and Krsmanovic being transferred to The Hague, if the Tribunal wants them. This could be the break we've all been hoping for. On the other hand, it could all come to nothing. ...

Tom Warrick

Opinions expressed/published on BosNews/BosNet-B do NOT necessarily always reflect the views of (all of the members of) Editorial Board, and/or moderators, nor any of their host institutions.

Murat Erkocevic <[email protected]>

Dzevat Omeragic <[email protected]>

Davor Wagner <[email protected]>

Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>