BosNet NEWS / Mar. 21, 1996

From: Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>

Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory

From: Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>

Subject: BosNet NEWS / Mar. 21, 1996

CONTENTS

[01] KOSCHNIK ON IFOR

Berlin, March 21, 1996 (Press TWRA)

EU Mostar Administrator, H.Koschnik stated in an interview given to "Berliner Morgen Post" that IFOR mandate could be prolonged for three years in order to omit new incidents. Koschnik thinks that 1/3 of 60.000 IFOR soldiers should stay in BH for assuring peace in the former YU. He proposed the U.S. withdraw completely their ground-forces and carry out only air-controlling and other countries could also withdraw a part of the units. Koschnik pointed out that leaders of all three sides are completely aware of the IFOR influence and of the fact that their presence is indispensable.<end> S.K.

[02] SPANISH NEW MOSTAR'S ADMINISTRATOR

Brussels, March 2O,1996 (Press TWRA)

According to diplomatic circles in Brussels Foreign Ministers of countries members of EU will appoint on Monday new administrator for Mostar. It is expected Spanish Ricardo Peres Cassado will be the new administrator. Cassado will take over his duty in early April. As the present Mostar's administrator, Koschnik, Cassado, too, one part of his carrier spent as mayor of Valencia (1979-1988). (end) S.K.

[03] CATHOLIC PRESS AGENCY (IKA)

ZAGREB INFORMATIVNA KATOLICKA AGENCIJA BISHOP KOMARICA WARNS THAT IT WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GUARANTEE THE LEGALITY OF THE COMING ELECTION IN THE SERBIAN PART OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA March 15, 1996 (IKA)

On March 14, Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka, during a visit to Zagreb on the occasion of the plenary session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, sought a meeting with Mrs. Doris Pack, representative of the European Parliament, and with a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. The purpose of this meeting was to warn world leaders and the public that the Croats and Muslims in the Serbian part of Bosnia-Herzegovina known as "Republika Srpska" will not be able to participate in the forthcoming political elections. All those who inhabited this territory before the Serbian authorities expelled them by "ethnic cleansing" are supposed to have the right to vote in this election. Of the many hundreds of thousands of the former Croatian inhabitants of this territory, only approximately 10,000 are still living in Banja Luka and the environs; the rest have been scattered throughout the world, primarily in Germany, Austria and neighboring countries. Who will assure that these people will be able to vote, that their names will be entered properly on the voting lists? Who will announce the non-Serbian candidates in the territory that the Serbs have under maximum control? If voting will be made possible for the former inhabitants dispersed throughout the world, what documents will be used to identify them when the majority were unsuccessful in obtaining Bosnian-Herzegovian passports or other confirmation of Bosnian-Herzegovian citizenship? Who will be authorized and responsible for safeguarding the exercise of these people's political rights?

The bishop, as a representative of the Church, that intercedes for all human rights, is the only person at the moment calling the world's attention to this issue. It is also a vital question for the survival of the Catholic Church in this territory. If the non-Serbian population is prevented from participating in this election, all the authority in this territory will remain in the hands of Serbian extremists. If this occurs, it will be practically impossible for any refugees and displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes. The assistant Croatian minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Ivan Simunovic, emphasized that the Republic of Croatia is obligated to intercede for the political rights of the Croats in Bosnia- Herzegovina because, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, it is responsible not only for all the citizens within its borders but for all Croats, wherever they live. Mrs. Doris Pack fully understood the bishop's concern and expressed confidence that the European politicians will do whatever is possible from their side. However, she did not attempt to conceal a foreboding that this question will not be satisfactorily resolved.

At the meeting, Dr. Simunovic promised to immediately inform not only the minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Mate Granic, but also the president of the Republic, Dr. Franjo Tudman, who had just bestowed a high state honor upon Mrs. Doris Pack.

Also participating at this meeting with Bishop Komarica were the Archbishop of Sarajevo Vinko Puljic, representatives of the Association of Croats of Northwest Bosnia, President Vjekoslav Tripalo and Vice President Grga Kolobaric. An unanswered question is whether the Croats will be obligated to seek a postponement of the election or declare it invalid if they are not able to participate, according to the stipulations of the Dayton agreement.

[04] TENSELY IN DOBRINJA

Sarajevo, March 21, 1996 (Press TWRA)

Differently from other Sarajevo municipalities which have been integrated in unitary town two days ago, the situation is still very tense in Dobrinja, IFOR spokesman reported. IFOR is controlling the streets of this Sarajevo municipality, while civilians remain closed in their homes. After one bombing attack upon a civil car, during which one person was killed, IFOR decided to send a reinforcement to UN monitors, situated in Dobrinja, for as long as representatives of the BH Federation and Serbs do not find out a peaceful solution. NATO soldiers are obliged to control the area and to examine alleged big amounts of weapons,smuggled to the Serb inhabitants of Dobrinja.The olympic settlement of Dobrinja is the sole settlement clearly delimited between the two sides by the Dayton accord. However, incidents are incited by a 200-meter-area, which in facts cover the land situated between the real and "Dayton" demarcation line. This area is actually under the Serb control who are threatening they "would rather fight than leave the houses they have occupied". According to the Dayton accord, it is left to civil authorities of both sides to agree upon the real demarcation line, but all efforts on that issue have remained unsuccessful so far. <end> S.K.

[05] SERBS TAKING CONTROL OVER MRKONJIC GRAD

Sarajevo, March 21, 1996 (Press TWRA)

IFOR spokesman in Sarajevo reported Bosnian Serbs have started today taking control over Mrkonjic Grad and Sipovo, towns allotted to the Serbian side by the Dayton peace-accord. <end> S.K.

[06] DISCOVERY OF NEW A COLLECTIVE GRAVE

Sarajevo, March 21, 1996 (Press TWRA)

New collective grave was probably found in North Bosnia. Bodies of former 120 prisoners of the Serbian camp Omarska are probably situated in a collective grave in one cave, in the vicinity of Lusci Palanke. "The cave was destroyed by a strong explosion, and it was done by somebody who wanted to hide the signs of a crime", BH war-crimes' investigator Refik Hodzic stated. Excavation of this and other possible local collective graves could probably start next month, with better weather conditions. <end> S.K.

[07] NEW U.S. WARNING TO BH FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH IRAN

Washington, March 20, 1996. (Press TWRA)

Yesterday, U.S. administration warned again the Sarajevo authorities that they would spoil their relations with the U.S.,if Iran would be included in arming of the BH Army. "We warned BH government that their relations with Iran regarding the arming of the BH Army would be very harmful for the stability in the region and the relations between our two countries. We made ourselves clear on that issue. From the very beginning of the Dayton accord, the U.S. have decided to arm and train the BH Federation forces", State Department porte-parole, Glyn Davies stated. "The Washington Times" brings the statement of the Iranian Ambassador to BH, Muhammad Taherian, that OIC examined last week an alternative program of support to BH, which they are ready to carry out, in the case the U.S. fulfill their threat on breaking the military-support program to Sarajevo authorities.<end>A.S.

[08] ARRANGEMENT ON EXCHANGE OF THE TERRITORY IN B.POSAVINA

Brcko, March 20, 1996. (Press TWRA)

Croatian media reported that representatives of the BH Federation and the Republic of Srpska agreed upon the exchange of the territory in Brcko. Further destiny of that area still remains to be defined by international arbitration by the middle of this year. According to Croat-Bosniaks agreement with Serbs, still to be confirmed by the governments of the two BH entities, the villages of Delina Ravan and Donje Dubravice will make part of the BH Federation, while Gornje Dubravice will belong to Serbs. Once the international arbitration is completed, it is possible that all three villages will make part either of the BH Federation or the Republic of Srpska. PIC High Commissioner, C.Bildt, visited that area recently and spoke with legal BH President of the Brcko municipality, President of the "Serbian municipality of Brcko" and President of the "Croatian municipality of Brcko", proclaimed by radical Croats in the area of few Croatian villages, among which mostly Bosniaks' villages are situated. In Brcko area, mass-slaughters, of mostly Bosniaks, took place during the spring and summer 1992, committed by local Serbs and soldiers from Serbia and some 8.000 people were killed. <end>A.S.

[09] AUSTRIA, GERMANY: CROAT, SERB AND BOSNIAK ARRESTED

Vienna, Munich, March 20, 1996. (Press TWRA)

Austrian and German police reported three persons suspected for war-crimes committed in BH were arrested two days ago. Zejnil Delalic Dedo (47), Bosniak, was arrested in Munich, suspected for war-crimes against BH Serbs. A Bosnian Serb (28) was arrested in Southern Germany, against whom ICTY raised a warrant on July 31 last year, for crimes committed in the camp Keraterm, near Prijedor, where he beat to death five prisoners and tortured many others. A Croat,Zdravko Mucic(40),ex-Commander of the Celebici camp, was arrested in Vienna, where he lived for a certain time.<end> A.S.

[10] REMOVAL OF ANTI-SNIPER PROTECTION IN SARAJEVO STARTED

Sarajevo, March 20, 1996 (Press TWRA)

After a peaceful reintegration of Sarajevo, a large-scale activity was started in that town last night: removal of anti-sniper protection for which municipal authorities allotted 80.000 DEM. <end>A.S.

[11] "WOMAN BATHER" STOLEN AND DAMAGED IN BELGRADE

Belgrade, March 20, 1996 (Press TWRA)

Belgrade police found a "Woman bather", oil-painting by Renoir (painted in 1915) and bought on 1935 Paris auction by actual Governor of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Prince Pavle Karadjordjevic. The painting was stolen last week from Belgrade museum, after being cut out from its frame. Three persons were arrested while the fourth took flight. During the robbery, the painting was damaged.<end>A.S.

[12] "THE GUARDIAN" ON CROAT-SERB ALLIANCE AGAINST BOSNIAKS

London, March 20, 1996 (Press TWRA)

After the recent discoveries on General Djukic assistance in Bosnia as a mercenary of the YU government and details on Visegrad genocide, committed in 1992, Ed Vulliamy reports now in "Guardian" on secret agreements between Serbs and Croats. Vulliamy says that opposite to what was reported so far, Gen. Djukic admitted he was in jail in Sarajevo, for which written and video evidence could be provided.

Djukic said he needed monthly 900 tones of fuel and, as deliveries from Serbia became uncertain in summer 1993, "Prime Minister" V.Lukic arranged it with Croats,on a secret meeting held in Rujani near B.Grahovo.The fuel was being delivered from the harbor of Split and given to Serbs in Stolac and Rujani, till the end of 1994. Forced expelling of Croats from Vares, for which they wanted to accuse Bosniaks, was organized by HVO Commander I.Rajic and Serb Col. P.Saloper.HVO in Kiseljak agreed with Serbs in Kokoska to perform an "assault" on their position (Croats were given arms from Serbs, arrived with those arms, without ammunition, and TV cameras and made a record on that "victory over Serbs"), by which they aimed to trick Bosniaks and international community. K.Zubak, BH Federation President, tried to persuade HVO from Usora to withdraw and let Serbs pass over their positions, in order to facilitate their conquering of Tesanj.Mladen Naletilic "Tuta", leader of a HVO "convict unit" in Herzegovina, was recruited, as an extremist Croatian emigrant, in the security service of communist Yugoslavia, at the period when Milosevic had already took control over the institution. This operation of recruiting was called "Marlboro" for which there is an evidence, dating from 1989 and signed by Serbian General P.Gracanin, Vulliamy reports. Naletilic distinguished himself in crimes against Bosniaks in Herzegovina but he also committed a slaughter of a group of Croat officials headed by Blaze Kraljevic who, differently from HVO, were fighting against the Serb para- army in Herzegovina. <end> A.S.

[13] IFOR DO NOT SECURE MINE LJUBIJA

Bonn, March 2O,1996 (Press TWRA)

One of the most popular programs on foreign politics in Germany "Ausland Journal", showed their rapporteur piece Jurgen Bollmann. He was the first foreign journalist who came near the place of Serbian crime in mine Ljubija. According to British IFOR's estimates there are approximately 1O OOO bodies of Croats and Muslims in this, now closed, mine. Bollman managed to talk with three witnesses who survived Serbian crimes. Ante J. who lived in one of the villages near Ljubija until his "Serbian neighbors attacked him and expelled" was the direct witness of the crimes. One night Ante J. from his house window saw that Serbian soldiers drove the bus full of prisoners and killed them all. He sneaked out of his house and got near the place of crime. He saw a big black hole filled with hundreds of bodies. In the next few days Serbs were constantly bringing new bodies, which bulldozer covered up with dirt.

ZDF rapporteur following the witnesses statements found the place of crime which today is covered with the heap of dirt and gravel. Serbs still keep the territory around the mine under strict control, the perpetrators still walk freely, and IFOR neither looks for the victims nor hunts the war criminals down, stated Bollman. Bollman also stated that few days ago delegation of The Hague International Tribunal visited Ljubija, but "the same Serbian policemen who since 1992 have been killing Muslims and Croats" drove them away. "The victims know the names of the criminals, who were former neighbors, and some them even friends", said Bollman. Reporter also tried to talk with the Serbian citizens of Ljubija who all said "I do not want to talk about it, it is all politics". However, it is impossible they know nothing because it takes only few minutes of walk to get to the first traces of crime, stated Bollman. (end) S.K.

[14] "DIALOGUE ON BOSNIA" IN VIENNA

Vienna, March 2O,1996 (Press TWRA)

On US ambassador in Vienna Swanee Hunt's initiative discussion "Dialog on Bosnia" was organized in "American House". In front of number of foreign and domestic journalists President and vice-President of B-H Federation, Kresimir Zubak and Ejup Ganic, and Albert Rohan, Chief Secretary of Austrian Foreign Ministry talked about the situation in B-H and Federation and about the talks held in Geneva. (end) S.K.

[15] FOUR PERSONS WOUNDED BY PLANTED EXPLOSIVE

Brcko, March 21,1996 (Press TWRA)

As Brcko police station reported four Bosniaks were wounded yesterday near Brcko. The accident happened when these persons tried to open the bag they found near the road. They activated the time bomb that was in the bag. One child and one adult were lightly wounded and the other two adults were heavily wounded. (end) S.K.

[16] REFUGEES ARE RETURNING TO B-H

Bratislava, March 21,1996 (Press TWRA)

The first group of 77 refugees from B-H who spent the war in Slovakia began to return yesterday to B-H, reported Slovakian informative agency. The next group of 24O refugees will return to B-H by the end of June. Altogether 45O refugees from B-H decided to return home. (end) S.K.

[17] KOLJEVIC KARADJIC SUCCESSOR

Belgrade, March 21,1996 (Press TWRA)

"I have no political ambitions. I do not intend to run on the elections and I do not know weather my party will nominate me ... But if they give me such proposal, it is possible that I would accept it", stated for the Belgrade's weekly "Interview" the vice-President of so called "republic srpska" Nikola Koljevic relating to the elections which will take place in September. Koljevic, together with the president of so called parliament Momcilo Krajisnik, is the most probable candidate for Radovan Karadjic's successor. According to some sources Nikola Koljevic enjoys great support from Serbian President Milosevic. (end) S.K.

[18] PUBLIC HEARINGS ON VUKOVAR'S CRIMES

The Hague, March 21,1996 (Press TWRA)

The International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague began the public hearings yesterday on the case of three senior officers of the Yugoslav Peoples Army charged with the 1991's massacre of Croatians at the Ovcara farm near Vukovar. The public hearings have gone ahead despite the fact that Mile Mrksic, Miroslav Radic and Veselin Sljivancanin have not been handed over to the Tribunal by the Serbian authority. Prosecutor Grant Nimman said that massacre of 261 people who were taken from Vukovar hospital marked the beginning of ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia. "Killings have served as chilling blue prints for systematic mass murder", stated prosecutor Nimman in his introductory speech on the trial and emphasized that 3OO men sheltering in Vukovar hospital were rounded up under the orders of the three officers after the town fell to the Yugoslav Army. Eleven witnesses still have to testify, and among them a doctor who worked at the hospital during the siege and several man who managed to escape from Serb detention. Mrksic, Radic and Sljivancanin were charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Tribunal in November last year. The Tribunal undertook the public hearings in order to enforce the pressure on Serbian authority to hand over the accused and enable those who survived to testify about the crimes. The hearings continue, and the Tribunal is expected to confirm the indictments against the accused and issue the international arrest warrants. (end) S.K.