TV news broadcast on 30 June
| RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
| | 2 genocide suspects arrested | Oric sentenced to 2 years in prison |
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| Sarajevo Commission first session | Reactions to Oric’s sentence |
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| Booklet re missing persons issues | 2 persons arrested for genocide |
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| Oric sentenced to 2 years | Incident in Mostar |
| NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
| Oric sentenced to 2 years | Oric sentenced to 2 years in prison | Reactions to Oric’s sentence |
| 2 persons extradited from US to BIH | 2 persons arrested for genocide | Commemoration in Brezani |
| Commission on | Preparation for Srebrenica memorial | 2 war crime suspects arrested |
| 6 crime suspects in detention | Const. session of Sarajevo Comm. | McElhaney visits Potocari |
| Oslobodjenje | Naser oric got two years of imprisonment |
| Dnevni Avaz | Naser Oric at large as of yesterday |
| Dnevni List | Retarded boy was thrown out on street [11-years-old Boris Musecki was abandoned in front of the building of |
| Vecernji List | Retiring commences [Former HVO members will be able to apply for retirement as of Monday, applications will be forwarded to |
| Nezavisne Novine | Naser Oric released |
| Glas Srpske | Roofs were blown away, windows were broken [Report on storm in Prijedor] |
War crimes | |
| Oric sentenced to 2 years in prison
| TV Hayat, TV Pink, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Glas Srpske cover pg report ‘Two years of imprisonment’ by Srna, Dnevni List pg 2, announced on cover ‘Oric set free’ by V. Soldo, Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Two years of imprisonment for Oric’ by A. Omeragic, Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Naser Oric at large as of yesterday’ by A. Hadzic, Nezavisne novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Naser Oric at large’ by Beta – Wartime commander in Srebrenica, Naser Oric, has been sentenced to 2 years of prison by ICTY because he failed to prevent the murders and tortures of captured Serbs from December 1992 until March 1993. According to ICTY, Oric as the Commander had mechanisms to get informed on the situation and prevent the murders. Since Oric spent 3 years in detention (he was arrested in 2003), ICTY ordered his immediate release as soon as the complete procedure is finished. FTV, Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘Naser Oric with his family in Sarajevo today’ by A. Avdic, Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘I am convinced Naser is not guilty’ by A. H. – Oric’s attorney Vasvija Vidovic stated that Oric is not guilty, and she announced filing of appeal. |
| ICTY Prosecution surprised with too mild sentence to Oric
| Oslobodjenje cover pg splash and pgs 4-5 ‘Two years of imprisonment for Oric’ by A. Omeragic Inset ‘Mild punishment for serious crimes’ – ICTY Spokesperson Antun Nikiforov stated the Prosecution was surprised with such a mild verdict in Naser Oric’s case since they have requested an imprisonment sentence in duration of 18 years. He added Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte would analyse the verdict and decide whether they would file a complaint on the verdict. |
| Reactions on Oric’s sentence: RS Association of Families of Missing Persons says ICTY humiliated victims, Mothers of Srebrenica say Oric is a victim
| BHT1 Suzana Stambol, Hatka Hamidovic – Naser Oric is expected to arrive to |
| RS Associations and officials condemn sentence, believe it is too mild and humiliating Serb people
| RTRS – Chair of RS Veterans Organisation Pantelija Curguz stated that this sentence could be brought in connection with latest events directed against RS and Serb people. Deputy Chair of RS Prisoners of War Association Slavko Jovicic says that the sentence is yet another farce of the court. Chair of Zvornik Veteran’s organisation Dragan Milosevic also stated that the sentence is humiliating for Serb people. RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik stated that the sentence is disappointing. “Oric undoubtedly has responsibility for many murders and that is why this sentence is disappointing and not in the function of what is the main intention of ICTY”, says Dodik. Attorney Krstan Simic says that sentence is shocking and strange. |
| BiH Presidency Chair Tihic: yet another confirmation of truth on events in Srebrenica
| Dnevni Avaz cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘Naser Oric at large as of yesterday’ by A. Hadzic Inset ‘Tihic’s reaction’ – BiH Presidency Chair Sulejman Tihic said on Friday that The Hague Tribunal’s verdict in the case against Naser Oric is yet another confirmation of the truth about the events in Srebrenica. “Now it is clear who defended the unarmed people and who committed crimes”, Tihic stated. |
| SIPA arrested 2 war crimes suspects in
| TV Pink, BHT1, TV Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘SIPA: two persons arrested over genocide’ by vr, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Two persons suspected of having committed genocide arrested’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Zdravko Bozic and Goran Bencun, genocide suspects, arrested’ by E. Sarac, Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘Suspected for genocide in Srebrenica’ by A. Djozo – BiH Prosecution stated that the US authorities have extradited two persons and handed them over to the BiH authorities. The extradited persons are Zdravko B. and Goran B. who are suspected of participating in genocide against Bosniaks in Srebrenica in 1995. According to unofficial information, the two men were deported from |
| Sarajevo Commission holds first session
| TV Pink, BHT1, TV Hayat, FTV, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘A year is not enough to determine the truth’ by eme, Oslobodjenje pg 3, announced on cover ‘More than a year is needed to determine the truth’ by S. R., Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘More than a year will be needed to reveal truth’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Sarajevo Commission started working’ by N. Krsman – BIH Commission for investigation of suffering of Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Jews and Other citizens in Sarajevo during 1992-1995 held its first session on Friday. Chair of the Commission Ivica Marinovic stated that principles by which the Commission will work were discussed at the first session. He added that the next session will be held on the following Thursday when the Commission agenda would be adopted. He also stated that a year deadline might not be enough for the Commission to determine the truth on events that took place in |
| Booklet presented explaining all legal issues regarding missing person’s issues
| RTRS Report by Branka Kusmuk – BIH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, Red Cross and ICMP made a booklet explaining all legal issues regarding missing person’s issues. Booklet provides basic legal definitions from that area as well as responses to procedure and status issues. Members of Associations of missing person’s families on the other hand claim that this document is unnecessary. They stress that all they want is to know the faith of their loved ones as well as the exact information on the number of missing persons in BIH. Head of Red Cross office in BiH Marianne Gasser stressed that according to Red Cross information 13,300 persons are still missing in BiH. Coordinator of group for implementation of law on missing persons Saliha Djuderija stated that according to available information there are approximately 14,000 missing persons. She explained that information from all relevant institutions is still being compiled thus explaining the lack of final data. TV Pink, BHT1, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Search for approximately 14.000 persons still ongoing’ by D. P. M., Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Guide for families of missing persons presented’ by Fena– also reported. |
| McElhaney visits Srebrenica
| BHT1, RTRS – US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney visited Srebrenica and Potocari Memorial Centre on Friday. He said that a complete truth about Srebrenica needs to be revealed. FTV – Ambassador McElhaney met with women of Srebrenica. McElhaney stated that people need fast changes and chances of a better future. He stressed that the US Government is determined to continue providing help and assistance to BiH citizens in the future. McElhaney opened that new centre for assistance to citizens in |
| Preparations for Srebrenica Memorial going on as planned
| FTV Salih Brkic – Organisation Board for 11th Memorial Ceremony for Srebrenica victims held another session on Friday. According to the Board, all preparations for the ceremony are going on as planned. However, the planned plenary joint session of the two houses of BiH Parliament Assembly will not take place. Srebrenica Mayor Abdurahman Malkic explained that one of the parliament houses couldn’t reach consensus on participation in the plenary session. |
Police/security issues | |
| 6 members of the so called Algerian group might be released or trialled in court
| TV Pink, BHT1, TV Hayat, Oslobdojenje pg 2, announced on cover ‘Members of the Algerian group to return to BiH?!’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Olesky: Time to correct injustice towards Algerian group’ not signed – 6 members of the so-called Algerian group from BiH currently held in Guantanamo prison in Cuba might be released or stand trial in court [The members of “Algerian Group” have been deported to the USA upon a request of US Government. They were suspected of planning terrorist attack against US Embassy in |
| Families of Algerian group members welcome U.S. Supreme court’s decision / BiH Justice Ministry’s Pilav: BiH authorities should launch negotiations on release of the group | TV Hayat, BHT1 – Wife of one of the members of Algerian Group deported from BiH, Nadja Dizdarevic, welcomed the decision of U.S. Supreme Court. She has contacted BiH Council of Ministers that promised her the entire process would be restarted before U.S. Embassy to BiH. BHT1 Mirela Cosic – Families of members of “Algerian Group” welcomed the decision of US Supreme Court, according to which the |
| One month detention for persons arrested in Trebinje
| FTV – |
| New incident in Mostar between Croats and Bosniaks
| BHT1 Seid Masnica – A new incident occurred in Mostar on Friday, when a group of Croats from settlement Potoci prevented the members of Association of RBiH Army veterans to put up a memorial plate intended to mark the place where RBiH Army soldiers were killed. Despite of the large number of police officers present, approximately 50 Croats verbally attacked the members of veterans’ Association. Head of the Association Zijad Music stated that many similar memorial plates for Croat veterans have been placed in the vicinity of the road too. The Association of veterans had informed the police about the planned ceremony. Nevertheless, Mostar City Administration stated that the Association didn’t request for an official permission to put up the memorial plate. Music stated that the Association will not give up, stressing that the children of killed veterans must know where their fathers had died. Dnevni List pg 11 ‘Sesar: even if a have to get killed, I will not allow them to step on my land!’ not signed – carries a statement of Potoci citizen Marko Sesar who said he would not allow a memorial plate for those who have been attacking and killing Croats to be placed in front of his house. Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Ibrahimovic: Croats are defending their land’ by Vesna Leto – One Redzo Ibrahimovic says Croats are only defending their land and added: ‘someone is bothered with good coexistence we have developed here in Bijelo Polje. All of this is a part of pre-election campaign’. |
Reforms/political developments | |
| No decision of BiH Presidency on AFBiH size, structure and stationing
| BHT1, TV Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Without agreement on national structure of army’ by Edina Medunjanin, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Structure of army ready for BiH Presidency after all’ by A. P. Inset ‘[HR |
| Day of FBiH Police marked
| BHT1 Sanita Lisica Biberovic – The Day of FBiH Police was marked on Friday. Reporter commented that the police officers are very concerned over the fact that almost half of the police officers in FBiH will be dismissed in the police reform process. Director of FBIH Police Zlatko Miletic stated that BiH police agencies have approximately 26.000 employees, which is too much. According to the EU standards, there shouldn’t be more than 12.000 employees in such agencies. Sead Lisak from Police Restructuring Directorate stated that the surplus police officers would be taken care of through compensation payments or early retirements. RS Minister of Interior Stanislav Cadjo is convinced that a suitable solution of surplus police officers would be found soon. FTV, Dnevni List pg 8 ‘Thousands of policemen to lose their jobs’ by Mensud Zorlak, Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘European standards’ by A. P., Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Miletic: Results we areachieving are getting better and better’ by E. Barimac, Nezavisne novine pg 8 ‘They achieved level of EU police forces’ by A. Dj. – also reported. |
| BiH Presidency member Jovic addresses HR
| FTV – Member of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic addressed HR Christian Schwarz-Schilling in an open letter. In his letter, Jovic condemned the attacks of Bosniak citizens against Croat citizens in Tuzla Canton. According to Jovic, these attacks last for years already. Jovic stated that he expects Tuzla Canton authorities to undertake urgent actions, adding that he is surprised with poor reaction of the International Community. Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Worry over attacks on Croats’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Systematic maltreating of Croats’ by R. I., Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Maltreating of Croats in Tuzla lasts for years already’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Maltreating of Croats in Tuzla Canton lasts for years already’ by Onasa, Nezavisne novine pg 3 ‘Intertia towards attacks on Croats is surprising’ by Fena, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Croats are being attacked in Tuzla Canton’ by Srnau – also reported. |
| SNSD’s Dodik: RS must be treated as a partner, if attacks continue I will reiterate stance on referendum
| Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Dodik: SNSD wants to have stabile and European state’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘If attacks on RS continue, then referendum’ by Fena, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘We will not give up on Srpska’ by M. Dzepina – During the pre-election convention of SNSD in Banja Luka, SNSD President Milorad Dodik stated SNSD wants to have a stabile and European BiH, in which RS would be treated as a partner, not as a culprit for everything. He said it is not true RS is de-stabilising BiH and, if attacks on RS continue, he could only reiterate his stances on referendum. SNSD believes the package of amendments to BiH Constitution is a solid base, uncompleted but acceptable, and no radical changes or imposing would be possible. |
| SDA demands from BiH
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Election Commission is not doing its job’ by R. Dautefendic, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Extend deadline for registration of refugees and DPs’ by A. T., Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘SDA asks for extending of deadline for registration of refugees and DPs’ by E. Sarac, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Prolong deadline for registration of voters’ by R. Cengic – BiH SDA forwarded an official demand to BiH Central Election Commission (BiH |
| RS NA Speaker Radojicic: elections in F BiH key for entire BiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Elections in FBiH key to entire BiH’ not signed, Nezavisne novine pg 6 ‘Without complications’ by Fena – RS NA Speaker Igor Radojicic said it would be a problem for the entire BiH if those political forces in Federation BiH that support radical changes of the BiH Constitution were to win in the elections. For this reason, Radojicic deems that the key issue for BiH would be who will win the elections in Federation BiH. He is of the opinion that talks on the already agreed constitutional reforms could be continued, if the political parties that supported the defined constitutional reforms were to win in the elections. |
| Austrian Ambassador to BiH: progress achieved in talks on
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Do not interrupt reform processes’ not signed, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Reforms, reforms, reforms’ not signed, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘I believe we have brought BiH closer to EU’ by agencies – Austrian Ambassador to BiH Werner Almhofer said that the first half of this year was an important period in the efforts of BiH to move closer to the EU. Significant progress has been made in talks on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and EU foreign ministers have in their Salzburg Declaration from early March confirmed the future of this region and BiH in the EU. The Ambassador noted all further progress of BiH towards the EU will depend on the reform process, which is in the hands of BiH politicians and added restructuring of the police, education reform and reform of the public broadcasting system, as well as the creation of a single economic space all give an opportunity to BiH politicians to show that they take seriously the European road, event during the summer months and in an election year. He thinks that the last week’s decision of OHR to replace OHR with the office of the EU Special Representative in one year represents an important step forward towards self-responsibility. |
| US Ambassador McElhaney: BiH is sovereign state and this will not be changed
| Oslobodjenje pg 6, announced on cover ‘BiH is sovereign and will not be changed’ by Voice of America, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘BiH is sovereign state and changing this is out of question’ by VOA – Reports on the interview of US Ambassador to BiH Douglas McElhaney to Voice of America [see OHR BIH Media Round-up: June 30], and also carries his comment with regard to the issue of RS referendum. McElhaney said USA does not even consider the referendum in Bih since the status of BiH had been defined ten years ago, peoples of BiH have reached an agreement on this and he added: ‘BiH is a sovereign country and any changes with regard to this are out of question’. He noted |
| VL: stances on closure of OHR differ / Croat politicians comment on the closure, some say IC will remain in BiH, others think OHR had not done enough for BiH
| Vecernji List pgs 4-5 ‘Departure of OHR’ by Miroslav Vasilj – Referring to the announced closure of OHR, Vecernji List comments Croats poorly reacted on the announcement, Bosniak politicians agree it is too early to close OHR while only Serbs welcomed the decision on closure. VL further comments there are both good and bad sides of the closure for BiH and Croats in BiH: ‘the good side is that the colonial relation towards BiH would be abolished’ but, as a negative consequence, VL notes BiH still had not regulated constitutional-legal organisation of BiH and the timing for the decision was not good considering “separatist-like threats coming from RS”. Some circles even interpret the closure of OHR as a penalty for non-adoption of constitutional changes. The article carries comments of HDZ’s Dragan Covic and HDZ 1990’s Bozo Ljubic who say the closure of OHR does not mean the international community would leave BiH and they note this means domestic politicians would have be more responsible. On the other hand Zvonko Jurisic from |
| HR | Nezavisne novine pg 2 ‘Talks on Bih closed for public’ by N. K. – High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling organised a meeting in a restaurant in |
| Hayat criticized recent FBIH laws on contributions to delegates
| TV Hayat By Nevzeta Skrijelj – Reporter criticised the recently adopted FBIH Law on contributions to delegates at FBIH Parliament saying that they have adopted only laws that improve their lifestyle while laws of vital interest to the citizens are still in procedure. Head of BIH Independent Trade Union Edhem Biber agreed with the above statement adding that the laws in personal interests to the delegates are rapidly adopted. OHR’s Spokesperson Mario Brkic deems that this law and in this form is not needed especially “if we all know how BIH citizens live”. Brkic said that delegates should be adequately paid but also BIH citizens should have adequate service in return. “These assets would be better used for reconstruction of the hospitals, improvement o schooling conditions etc.” added Brkic. Skrijelj expressed hopes that better times would come for the adoption of laws important to BIH citizens, which delegates are undeservedly paid for in the first place, and that more responsible delegates would be elected. |
Further reactions on PACE Resolution | |
| HDZ 1990,
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Croats cannot survive without Cantons’ by D. Pusic – Following the recommendations of Council of Europe, which foresee abolition of Cantons and entity voting, brought after the adoption of PACE Resolution, Vinko Zoric from HDZ 1990 thinks this idea would be acceptable but not in the context of de-centralisation of F BiH and one-sided abolition of Cantons and added the Cantons should not be completely abolished, only the number of Cantons should be reduced because Croats cannot survive without federal units such as Cantons. Deputy President of |
| DEPOS’s Bukejlovic: Ivanic should have reacted before PCAE Resolution was adopted
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Ivanic should have reacted before the Resolution was adopted’ by Fena, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘It is incomprehensible Ivanic had not reacted’ by D. Sa., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Reply’ – DEPOS Presidency member Pero Bukejlovic criticised BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic on Friday for failing to react to the PACE Resolution. Bukejlovic said that it is unacceptable that representatives of relevant institutions in our country had no knowledge of the resolution concerning the constitutional organisation of BiH, i.e. that they did not take part in its development. |
| BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic replies to Bukejlovic: he has no basic knowledge on functioning of CoE PA
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Bukejlovic is not in possession of basic knowledge’ by Srna, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Ministers and Governments are not behind the Resolution’ by Srna – BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic has stated Ministers and Governments are not suggesting any kind of Resolutions of Parliamentary Assembly of CoE and added DEPOS’s Pero Bukejlovic is not in possession of basic knowledge on the way of functioning of CoE Parliamentary Assembly. |
| SNSD’s Dodik: PACE Resolution would unnecessarily create political tensions in BiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘We will not accept the Resolution on BiH’ by Fena – RS PM Milorad Dodik said this evening that the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe’s [PACE] Resolution on BiH was an example of Europe’s bad behaviour towards this region and that RS would not accept it, regardless of the fact that it was sent from a European address. Dodik said the resolution is proof that all that comes to BIH from |
| VL int with BIH Presidency member Jovic: there are attempts to create state named
| Vecernji List pg 6, announced on cover ‘It is dangerous to build Bosnian nation’ by Zoran Kresic – In an interview to VL, Croat member of BiH Presidency Ivo Miro Jovic commented on PACE Resolution as well as on the recommendation the Venice Commission had presented in past with regard to abolition of Cantons and suggestion of Council of Europe to introduce a single official language in BiH and he said he thinks this recommendation was counter-productive and he added a model of two languages was already introduced to information services. Jovic added: ‘This is only a confirmation of earlier thesis on creation of the state of |