OHR BiH Morning Media Brief
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
Raguz meets Seks | World news | Revoked sentence to Ante Jelavic |
No BiH citizens injured in | No killed BIH citizens in | Jankovic pleads not guilty |
HDZ on Jelavic’s case | World news | RS NA session in Banjaluka |
FBiH HoR in session | OHR on police reform | OHR on calls for police reform talks |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
World News | Confirmed acquittal to Prce, Curcic? | OHR on police reform |
No BiH citizens injured in | Revoked sentence to Ante Jelavic | RS NA session |
FBiH HoR in session | Jankovic pleads not guilty | Live report from RS NA session |
Protest in front of FBiH Govt building | FBiH HoR discussed ‘Agrokomerc’ | Initiative for Hafizovic’s dismissal |
Oslobodjenje | First-degree verdict in ‘Jelavic case’ is not understandable |
Dnevni Avaz | [FBiH Comm. Minister Brankovic] 51% of BH Telecom for at least €650 million |
Dnevni List | More money to Croats from |
Vecernji List | Apocalypse ( |
Slobodna Dalmacija | Dual citizens (BiH-Cro) losing their cars |
Nezavisne Novine | Police reform must be a product of the agreement |
Glas Srpske | School tuition for headache [Report on high school tuition at Banja Luka School of Economics] |
EuroBlic | Panic because of mad cow [Report on possibility of cow madness in village Golici, close to Milici] |
Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
BiH proceedings related to Ante Jelavic | |
BiH Appellate Council confirms first-degree sentence to ex HDZ leads Jelavic has been revoked
| BHT1 By Vanja Furtula, Angela Cvitanovic – |
Jelavic: I am not returning to BiH; I am ready to stand trial in
| Vecernji List pg 4-5 mentioned on cover ‘Ante Jelavic: I am ready to stand trial in Croatia’ by Zoran Kresic – After the BiH Court Appellate Panel on Monday annulled the first instance sentence against Ante Jelavic, former HDZ BiH President and BiH Presidency member, in an exclusive statement for VL Jelavic said he does not plan on coming back to BiH but is ready to stand trial in Croatia. He added that, ‘for him, the annulment of the sentence which was rendered on the basis of circumstantial evidence means there is hope that a rule of law will be established in BiH’. Slobodna Dalmacija pg 5 mentioned on cover ‘I am not coming back to BiH, I will stand trial only in |
HDZ: party has expected such decision due to big mistakes in first-degree sentence to Jelavic
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DL:
| Dnevni List, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Jelavic free?!’, by Erna Mackic – the article claims that after the first degree sentence to Ante Jelavic got annulled, which now implicates renewed trials before the Appellate Council, in practice it now means Jelavic is a free man. DL also notes that legal experts are of opinion that there is no ground to hold renewed trials before the Appellate Council in case indictee is not in the country, stressing that Jelavic’s defence has already noted he (Jelavic) would not show up before BiH judiciary. |
BiH Appellate Council confirms revoking sentence to Jelavic; BiH Criminal Procedure Code has no solution for this situation, experts say; other dilemmas
| Oslobodjenje cover splash, pgs 4-5 ‘First-degree sentence in case Jelavic is not understandable’ by D.Pavlovic – Daily carries that Ante Jelavic’s attorney Dragan Barbaric has submitted the appeal to the first-degree verdict, based on the fact that indictment against Jelavic was not understandable, that it was imprecise and that it doesn’t follow regulations of BiH Criminal procedure Code. Inset ‘Legal Dillemma’ by A.S.– Legal experts confirmed for daily that BiH Criminal Procedure Code doesn’t foresee the action in case of revoking of verdict and repeating of the trial when the indictee is “unavailable”. Inset ‘No extradition’ by A.S.– As daily learns |
Following annulment of Jelavic sentence, DL editorial says BiH judiciary not independent yet, lenient towards high officials
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Independent judiciary’ op-ed by D. P. Mandic – Editorial brings up the issue of BiH Court Appellate Panel annulling the sentence against Ante Jelavic and finds that BiH judiciary has not yet reached a degree of independence which would make it possible to convict highly positioned officials who flagrantly abused their office. Jelavic case, author says, is not the only one and reminds that BiH judiciary was lenient also in cases of Kemal Ademovic, former head of AID, who was acquitted of charges of buying five apartments for his employees, Hasan Cengic, former FBiH Deputy Defence Minister who was charged with illegally issuing licenses to produce armaments and Branko Dokic, who was charged with abuse of office while he was RS Govt. minister but made a deal with the Prosecutor’s Office, as did Tihomir Gligoric (same charges). Judging by this, editorial ends, it would be surprising if former BiH Presidency member and FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Covic were convicted in the “Lijanovici” trial currently going on before the State Court. |
NN op-ed notes case of Ante Jelavic gets character of general confusion with one question – how to proceed further
| Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Jelavic case’ by Aleksandar Sekulic – In regard to decision of BiH Court’ Appeals’ Council, that annulled verdict against Ante Jelavic, the author notes that even the defence attorney of Jelavic was caught in moment. Author observes decision may not have been so surprising if judicial circles themselves had not been confused over fact that in this case, ruling was annulled to a person in a run and who also holds citizenship of another state. After listing a number of issues regarding the case (trial itself, defence claims pointing at omissions), author concludes the entire case – at this moment – gets a character of general confusion where only one question remains – how to proceed further. |
FTV: Court confirms acquittals of Prce and Curcic in Croat Self-Rule case, annuls count of verdict finding Prce guilty of office misuse
| FTV – According to “reliable sources” of FTV, the Appellate Council of the |
RSNA/CoP disputes; | |
RSNA includes
| FTV – After several hours of discussion, the RS National Assembly has decided to include the initiative for removal of SDA’s Sefket Hafizovic from his position of the RS National Assembly, also scheduling initiative to be discussed at continuation of the session on Wednesday. RTRS by |
Media: It is not clear whether SNSD would support Hafizovic’s dismissal
| BHT1 by Zoran Sarenac – Reporting live from RS NA, BHT reported stated that it is not yet clear if SNSD would support the initiative of removing Sefket Hafizovic from the positions of the RSNA Deputy Speaker. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik held an unofficial meeting on Tue with Hafizovic and several other SDA delegates; as BHT learns, Dodik believes that Hafizovic should not be removed. [Note that on 17 July, Dodik stated RS ( |
DL op-ed: By threatening to reduce role of RS CoP, RS PM Dodik provokes Bosniaks in both RS and FBIH
| Dnevni List pg 6 ‘Serbs bringing state to its knees’ op-ed by Mensud Zorlak – following statements by SNSD officials, who noted the party would launch an initiative the aim of which is to reduce the role of the RS Council of Peoples (RS CoP), Zorlak notes by doing so, the leader of SNSD and RS PM Milorad Dodik “keeps on provoking Bosniaks in the RS, as well as in the FBiH”. (NB: initiative for change ofRS Constitution came after the Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP invoked vital national interest clause thus blocking the privatization of RS Telekom). The author stresses that the “Council of Peoples is the only guarantee to the Bosniaks and Croats not to lose heads because of hatred the entity Prime Minister Milorad Dodik is imposing”. |
OHR: there is no need for new political negotiations on police reform
| FTV- Office of the High Representative deems that there is no need for new political negotiations on police reform, as BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic and RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik have recently suggested. OHR Spokesperson Kevin Sullivan reminded that last year’s political agreement on police reform was supported by entity and state Parliaments; therefore, new negotiations would not be in line with the obligations under this agreement, stressed Sullivan. Hayat- “The RS has three months to create police reform process within Police Reform Directorate…this is of crucial relevance since there won’t be another technical process”, said Sullivan. PINK– “RS representatives as well as all political factors in BIH must bear in mind that political agreements and later a decision of CoM are recognised by the EU”, stressed Sullivan. PINK carries that Sullivan concluded that under the political agreement reached last year, the entities and state should adopt the plan prepared by the Directorate. Sullivan underlined that even though the governments and parliaments would have a chance to discuss the |
EU Troika informed BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Ivanic that there will be no signing of
| BHT1- Following the meeting of BiH Foreign Affairs Minister Mladen Ivanic with EU Troika [EU High Representative Javier Solana, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja] in |
BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic: Major key issue for
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Europe will not tolerate our indolence’ by Edina Sarac – Following his two-day visit to Brussels, in an interview for daily BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic stated without police reform, BiH will not be able to sign Stabilisation and Association Agreement [ |
NN: US Ambassador will organize consultations regarding police reform
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘ |
Opinion poll: 82% BiH citizens in favor of joining EU
| Vecernji List pg 6 ’83 percent BiH people in favor of joining EU’ by Ivana Brkic-Cubela – VL publishes results of a survey conducted by Gfk BH Market research center on BiH citizens’ opinion related to BiH joining EU according to which as many as 83 % of 967 surveyed citizens of age would vote in favor of joining EU and only 9 % are opposed. 85 % of FBiH and Brcko District citizens favor BiH joining EU as opposed to 75% citizens in RS. Women seem to be more in favor of joining EU than men – 84 vs 82 %. |
HDZ 1990’ Raguz meets Croatian officials; asses that constitutional changes should strengthen state institutions
| BHT1 by Mediha Adrovic – Chair of the BiH House of Representatives and Vice Chair of HDZ 1990, Martin Raguz and Croatian Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks assessed at meeting in |
Int with Mladen Ivanic: EU supportive of transforming OHR into EUSR; personal election goal to win executive power
| Nezavisne Novine cover splash, pg 6 ‘Police reform must be a product of the agreement’ by N. Krsman, Inset ‘Macedonian experience’ – In an interview to daily (similar to one carried in DA with focus on police reform), Mladen Ivanic, BiH Foreign Minister, said his meetings in Brussels also discussed public administration, public broadcasting service and cooperation with the ICTY. On the issue of the RS referendum, Ivanic said he informed |
GS op-ed highly commendable of RS PM Dodik
| Glas Srpske op-ed pg 2 ‘In front of grand doors of small trap…’ by Boro Maric – The author is highly commendable of Milorad Dodik, RS Premier, saying that many Balkans and European papers have published interviews with Dodik, representing him as revered political leader in the Balkans. Author further brings details from RS PM’s life, starting with his early teenage years throughout pre-war, war and post-war years. The headline refers to following quote: “He (RS PM) is now faced with another trap whose paraphrase goes like this: God, give me peace to bare things I cannot change, courage to change things I can change, wisdom to differ one from another…” |
GS op-ed calls for the protection of media and freedom of speech referring to recent
| Glas Srpske op- ed pg 2 ‘Democracy, who diminished you?’ by Nikola Vukolic – Author calls all the intellectuals to protect freedom of speech and professional media referring to the recent attacks on RTRS by |
Economic issues | |
OHR on IMF warning: expenses should be aimed at long-term benefits for BiH citizens
| Hayat – OHR Spokesperson, Kevin Sullivan, reiterated on Tuesday that the International Monetary Fund’s warning that the present tide of pre-election spending could “produce a post-election hangovers”, with the authorities forced to cut back programmes and services because of a shortage of funds. He added expenses should be aimed at “long-term benefits for citizens, not short-term vote- seeking.”Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Payment of old currency savings within five years is not realistic’ by FENA, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘No use of amendments’ –Sullivan also criticized initiative of BiH Parliament on amendment to the Law on old currency saving, according to which the payment deadline is reduced to five years: “The proposal cuts the payment time to five years – but this is a promise that can not be kept. The existing package represents the best possible compensation under BiH’s economic circumstances.” |
BiH Finance Minister Maric denies IMF allegations that BiH authorities would face deficit by beginning of 2007
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Empty treasury will not abide next governance’ by T.Lazovic – Responding to warnings from International Monetary Fund [IMF] that BiH authorities could face deficit by beginning of next year due to the increased public spending, BiH Finance Minister Ljerka Maric stated that public spending in BiH is within borders foreseen by the budget. She added: “We are aware and we totally support IMF stances on increased spending, but it all tells us that BiH institutions are stick to plan so far. There were no plans for budget rebalance so far… I firmly believe that there will be no shortages, i.e. that the next Government will not face deficit as IMF predicts.” Maric also estimated that it is a thin line between current positive trends and possible problems. Inset ‘Benefit from blockade’ – Maric added that although it sounds senseless, current blockade of the Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] single account helped control of spending money at the state level. |
Head of OHR Mostar Viktorov meets East Herzegovina Municipal Heads dissatisfied with treatment they receive from state and entity
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ITA SB Chair Nicholl: Blockade of ITA single account is exclusive authority of ITA SB which must solve the dispute
| Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘Plan of priority financing done’ by T.L. – Article carries that FBiH Finance Ministry prepared the plan of priority financing of key consumers, so the problems that are expected to occur due to the blockade of Indirect Taxation Administration [ITA] single account. DA’s source said that all the institutions have been financed in full capacity so far. Inset ‘Nicholl and Terzic discussed blockade’ – BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic met ITA SB Chair Peter Nicholl on Tuesday and discussed the blockade of the ITA single account. Nichol stated that this issue is in exclusive authority of ITA SB, adding that this body has to solve the dispute, and not wait for Prime Ministers to make an agreement in BiH Fiscal Council. |
FBIH Communication Minister Brankovic: To sell 51% of BH Telecom for at least €650 million; 51-56% of HT Mostar for at least €200 million
| Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘51% of BH Telecom for at least €650 million’ by M.Kukan – Daily claims it came in possession of privatization proposal for FBiH telecom operators, that FBiH Minister of Transport and Communications Nedzad Brankovic is yet to submit FBiH Government. As daily learns, Brankovic will propose two possibilities for privatizations of both ‘BH Telecom’ and ‘HT Mostar’. According the Brankovic, the only adequate method of privatization is announcing tender. First possibility for selling BH Telecom is that 51% of the total state ownership [90%] is sold for at least €650 million in the first phase of the privatization project, and to keep the remaining 39% for the second phase. Other possibility is to switch order of these two phases, but Brankovic noted it would not be too much attractive for the future strategic partner. When it comes to HT Mostar, its privatization is, according to court’s ruling, possible only after merging this company with ‘Eronet’ mobile operator. After merging these two firms, state ownership would amount 51-56%. Brankovic proposes that either all state ownership being sold in the first phase for not less than €200 million, or not to be sold at all. Inset ‘Government’s session postponed’ – Session of FBiH Government, at which the privatization of telecom operators should have been discussed, scheduled for Thursday is postponed due to the catholic holiday. |
War crimes proceedings and issues | |
War crimes suspect pleads not guilty to amended indictment for war crimes in Foca area
| FTV – Gojko Jankovic, a war crimes suspect standing trial before the |
BiH Foreign Minister Ivanic:
| Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Europe will not tolerate our indolence’ by Edina Sarac – BiH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic stated in an interview for DA that he discussed the issue of ICTY cooperation with EU officials during his two-day visit to Brussels: “I cannot say that there were certain pressure regarding that issue. Their stance is very clear, they expect continuation of positive trend we had in 2005. BiH institutions are expected to set even better cooperation with Belgrade.” Ivanic could not answer whether BiH would be held responsible for capturing Radovan Karadzic now |
Spokesperson for BiH Prosecution, Grubesic: List of participants in Srebrenica genocide will not be published
| Oslobodjenje pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘List of attackers on Srebrenica will not be published’ by A.Avdic – Asked to comment statement of former RS Prime Minister Pero Bukejlovic who said that list of those persons who participated in Srebrenica genocide, which was put together by RS Srebrenica Task Force, could not be published because former High Representative Paddy Ashdown demanded identity protection for all those who appeared on the list, OHR Spokesperson Oleg Milisic told press conference that “OHR will not undertake any actions that could endanger criminal procedures… The report is temporary in BiH Prosecution and it is not up to OHR to decide will it be published or not.” Last week, the chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte stated while attending marking of Srebrenica massacre that she was surprised the list was not published. She added that the Tribunal has not imposed embargo on publishing the list. BiH Prosecution spokesperson Boris Grubesic confirmed that the list would not be published: “Publishing these date could endanger the ongoing investigations. Some people, that are on the list and against whom the investigation is carried, could fun away.” |
Oslobodjenje commentary criticizes practice that war crimes suspects get financial compensation from budget | Oslobodjenje, pg 9 ‘Hypocrisy’, by Aldijana Omeragic – the author notes that the recent request of the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Borislav Paravac, that the OHR and BiH Justice Ministry investigate whether monthly compensations that an ICTY indictee Rasim Delic (former wartime commander of BiH Army) receives from the state is in line with the law, is hypocritical and overdue. Omeragic says it is absurd Paravac wants to protect taxpayers’ money since the RS authorities have been both publicly and secretly supporting war crimes suspects and their families for years. The author concludes it is a right of every person to consider himself/herself innocent, however the author stresses it is morbid that citizens, even victims, give money to war crimes suspects, underlining that all three members of BiH Presidency should put criminals to their place and cease any kind of financial compensations to them. |
OHR BiH Media Round-up
Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs) | BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs) | RTRS (12,00 hrs) |
Israeli forces enter | RSNA to discuss Hafizovic removal | Not covered – technical difficulties |
Heat wave in western Europe | FBiH HoR accept privatization chang. |
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FBiH HoR in session | Investigation in Abazovic case |
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TV news broadcast on
RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs) | TV PINK (18,00 hrs) | BHT 1 (19,00 hrs) |
Raguz meets Seks | World news | Revoked sentence to Ante Jelavic |
No BiH citizens injured in | No killed BIH citizens in | Jankovic pleads not guilty |
HDZ on Jelavic’s case | World news | RS NA session in Banjaluka |
FBiH HoR in session | OHR on police reform | OHR on calls for police reform talks |
NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs) | FTV (19,30 hrs) | RTRS (19,30 hrs) |
World News | Confirmed acquittal to Prce, Curcic? | OHR on police reform |
No BiH citizens injured in | Revoked sentence to Ante Jelavic | RS NA session |
FBiH HoR in session | Jankovic pleads not guilty | Live report from RS NA session |
Protest in front of FBiH Govt building | FBiH HoR discussed ‘Agrokomerc’ | Initiative for Hafizovic’s dismissal |
Oslobodjenje | First-degree verdict in ‘Jelavic case’ is not understandable |
Dnevni Avaz | [FBiH Comm. Minister Brankovic] 51% of BH Telecom for at least €650 million |
Dnevni List | More money to Croats from |
Vecernji List | Apocalypse ( |
Slobodna Dalmacija | Dual citizens (BiH-Cro) losing their cars |
Nezavisne Novine | Police reform must be a product of the agreement |
Glas Srpske | School tuition for headache [Report on high school tuition at Banja Luka School of Economics] |
EuroBlic | Panic because of mad cow [Report on possibility of cow madness in village Golici, close to Milici] |
Vecernje novosti | Features Serbian related titles |
LATEST NEWS OF TODAY | |
RSNA in session: Outlook of agenda still unknown, several Caucuses want to discuss replacing of RSNA Deputy Speaker Hafizovic
| BHT1 – By Dragan Stegic– RS National Assembly has continued its 37th session in |
FBiH HoR adopts proposal of amendments to law on privatization
| BHT1 – By Ljiljana Radl– FBiH House of Representatives held its special session, at which the chamber has passed proposal of amendments to FBiH Law on Privatization. This is directed toward accelerating of the privatization process, because large companies are yet to be privatized and which have to be restructured before privatization. As Radl stresses, amendments to the Law on Privatization were supported by 50 MPs and changes refer to two points. First is separation of company’s parts “which are not competitive” from the “healthy ones” where gained means would be used for restructuring of “weak” parts. Second change refers to giving of authorities to the FBiH Government, where now it can mediate, through agreement, in sale of certain parts of large companies. After ending the special session, FBiH HoR continues the regular session, at which MPs returned proposal law on lowest hourly wage to the proponent. This proposal law was withdrawn by authorized Minister Radovan Vignjevic. In time of the news, proposal law on income tax was not approved by the FBiH HoR. |
PDHR Butler to meet Stability Pact’s Busek, focus on creating jobs | |
Sarajevo Commission to meet today, discuss program of work
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Prosecutor Colovic on Abazovic case: No one can say Rada, Dragoljub Abazovic used firearms
| BHT1 – Investigation of District Prosecution of East Sarajevo regarding the EUFOR arrest action of Dragomir Abazovic, showed that no one can say for sure that Rada Abazovic and her heavily injured son Dragoljub were using fire arms or that Dragomir shot himself. Chief District Prosecutor Rajko Colovic said that no gunpowder residue was found on hands of the boy, for whom EUFOR claims that he was using the firearms. (In January 2006, EUFOR attempted to arrest war crime suspect Dragomir. Attempt resulted in Dragomir’s wife Rada getting killed, son Dragoljub injured) |
Economy/Social Affairs | |
Serb Caucus in RS CoP asks for special session regarding Bosniaks’ objection to sale of Telecom Srpske
| Hayat– Serb Caucus in the RS Council of Peoples asked for a special session of the RS CoP. Session should be dedicated to the fact that Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP has launched vital national interest protection thus opposing the privatization of Telecom Srpske. RS CoP Deputy Chairman, Momir Manic said that Serb delegates decided to ask the CoP Chair to schedule the session for Thursday, July 20. Glas Srpske PG 3 ‘Extraordinary session requested’ by G.D. – also reported |
RS CoP Chairman Kadric: session to be announced according to Rules of Procedure | Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Council of Ministers should be included as well’ by H.O.– Chair of RS Council of Peoples, Remzija Kadric, told Avaz that he would schedule the session (of RS CoP) in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the RS CoP. This follows the demand of Serb Caucus in RS CoP for special session dedicated to privatization of ‘Telecom Srpske’. Expressing regret that BiH executive authorities didn’t take participation in this process, Kadric said: “I am convinced that just privatization cannot happen without Council of Minister getting actively involved in the process (…) I deem that state executive authorities have to react immediately and try to save what can be saved and most practical solution would be simultaneous privatization of all three telecoms.” |
Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP: we will support changes of RS Constitution that would provide changes of RS name
| RTRS– With regards to announcements of SNSD that the party would initialize changes to the RS Constitution in order to review the role of RS Council of Peoples, Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP announced that it would support every initiative for change of RS Constitution that provides the change of name of RS. SNSD made this announcement following the vital national interest protection that Bosniak Caucus launched on proposal for sale of ‘Telecom Srpske’. Bosniak Caucus stresses that the name RS is an obstacle for progress in BIH and Caucus repeated once again that all 3 peoples living in RS should benefit from the sale of ‘Telecom Srpske’. (also reported by Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘They would support all initiatives that lead to change of RS name’ by FENA, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Name of RS is root sticking point of BiH’s progress’, not signed, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘RS is stumbling block’ by D.Mo., Fokus pg 2 ‘Erasing RS’ name’ by not signed) |
SNSD’s Simic explains procedure for changes to RS Constitution may last up to six months
| EuroBlic RS pg 2 ‘SNSD announces initiative for change of RS Constitution’ by N.B. – Daily reports that SNSD intends to launch initiative for change of RS Constitution after elections, which should examine the role of RS Council of Peoples and define the issue of vital national interest. In a statement to daily, Krstan Simic, Head of SNSD Caucus, explains that “urgent change of Constitution stipulates period of six months at least.” (NOTE: Serb delegates were revolted over invoking of VNI re privatization of “Telekom Srpske”.) Tarik Sadovic, Head of SDA Caucus in RS Parliament, stated: “When anger leaves SNSD representatives, they will realize changes of Constitution are not issue of daily politics, but instead a serious work of various political subjects.” |
RS Telekom Director Krunic: privatization of RS Telekom is political issue | Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Politization does not bring good to BiH’ by Srna – Director of RS Telekom said that prevention of privatization of RS Telekom by Bosniak Caucus at RS Council of Peoples proves that all issues in BiH are of political nature. |
BH Telekom CEO argues all 3 telecommunications companies should be sold as one
| Dnevni List pg 2 ‘Three telecoms under one cap’ by D. P. Mandic – In a statement for DL about privatization of telecommunication companies, Hamdo Katica, BH Telekom general manager, says that state property should not be sold at a bargain price and that a better deal would be achieved by selling all three companies as one. He believes to sell 3 telecoms to different foreign companies might lead to better service for customers but could also deprive state of its income for which reason it should be considered whether telecom operators should remain state owned. |
Energopetrol accounts to be de-blocked on Wednesday; FBiH Government hopes privatization process would be finished in less than two months
| BHT1 By Damir Simic – After FBiH Government adopted the proposal of the contract on the co-capitalisation of ‘Energopetrol’ with Croatian-Hungarian consortium INA-MOL at its last session, bank accounts of this company have been blocked for five days. According to BHT reporter, during the talks between representatives of Energopetrol Trade Union and HVB Bank, it was agreed that the blockade is lifted on Wednesday. Representatives of FBiH Government deem that the privatisation of Energopetrol should be completed in less than two months. “Everything was done in line with the Law on Privatisation”, stressed FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic; however, Minister of Culture and Sport Gavrilo Grahovac – who voted against the sale of Energopetrol – claims that the contract is full of irregularities, and that it will not be implemented. “Persons who allegedly worry about 1,059 Energopetrol workers, and who persistently insist on this project, are in fact persons who would bring those 1,059 workers into a very difficult situation”, stated Grahovac. PINK– also reported. |
Trade Union of Energopetrol threatens with protests if accounts aren’t de-blocked
| Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Unblocking of the account or protests before HVB Bank’ by M.Kukan– Following the verbal agreement between HVB Bank and ‘Energopetrol’ Trade Union regarding the lifting of account blockade on Wednesday, Trade Union representative Nusret Mamic told Avaz that they would organize protests on Thursday before the HVB Bank if the blockade is not lifted. At the same time, Avaz learns from the HVB Bank that they haven’t made any promises, stressing that pre-condition for lifting of the blockade are guarantees from the Consortium INA/MOL, which haven’t arrived yet. Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘De-blockade of Energopetrol accounts today’ by A.Av– carries Mamic’s statement that they reached a verbal agreement. |
BHT: ITA prepared Rulebook to control oil market in BiH, RS opposes to it
| BHT1 By Damir Simic – In order to regulate oil market in BiH, Indirect Taxation Administration has created a Rulebook on Compulsory Use of Measuring Instruments in a sale of oil and oil derivates. However, this rulebook is not in effect, due to opposition from RS. “It would certainly mean almost complete control over the turnover of oil and oil derivates. Because those measuring instruments would enable ITA to monitor both the entry and the exit of every litre of oil on gas stations, and in the same time to monitor the quality of all those fuels”, explained ITA Director Kemal Causevic. |
FBiH HoR to vote on proposal law on income tax at Wednesday’s special session
| FTV– Since there was no quorum, FBiH House of Representatives did not vote on the law on lowest net hourly wage, and the new concept of taxation of physical persons’ total income, at its Tuesday’s session. It is expected that these laws will be on the agenda of Wednesday’s special session. |
FBiH HoR to discuss amendments to law on privatization of companies on Wednesday’s session, MPs ask for dismissal of Minister Bozic over ‘Agrokomerc’ case
| FTV By Azra Pasukan – Members of the FBiH House of Representatives of Tuesday discussed the general situation, and preparations for privatisation of ‘Agrokomerc’ company from Velika Kladusa. Among other things, representatives requested the dismissal of FBiH Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Marinko Bozic, because they deem FBiH Government and this ministry have done nothing to protect the property of Agrokomerc, and revitalize this company. “FBiH Government promised last year to solve the situation in ‘Agrokomerc’ by using the budget funds – approximately KM one million”, stated member of the FBiH HoR Husein Nanic. According to FTV reporter, privatisation of ‘Agrokomerc’ has been stagnating for a long time; proposal of the law amending the law on the privatisation of companies, which FBiH HoR should discuss during a special session on Wednesday, should enable restructuring of ‘Agrokomerc’ and other strategic companies before they are privatised. During Tuesday’s session, FBiH HoR tasked FBiH Government, Ministry in charge and Agency for Privatisation to come up with the proposal for solving problems of ‘Agrokomerc’ by the next session. ( |
FBiH PM Hadzipasic: de-blocking of privatization process through amending of the law
| Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Parliamentarians needed the round table to see where is the problem’ by M.K– FBiH Prime Minister Ahmet Hadzipasic told DA that in his opinion, the only way to unblock the privatization process in FBiH is passing of amendments to Law on privatization. He reiterates that these amendments are very important for future status of former large systems and resolving of internal obligations between employees and companies. Hadzipasic is unsatisfied with the fact that only the recently held round table (on privatization related matters) has persuaded MPs in necessity of these changes, even though the FBiH Government has proposed these amendment twice and were rejected both times. |
BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communications confirms feasibility study for Corridor Vc will not be completed by July 26, Minister Dokic believes deadline will be met on time
| Nezavisne Novine pg 15 ‘Feasibility study will not be completed on time’ by D.Muminovic – BiH Ministry of Traffic and Communication confirmed that Corridor 5C feasibility study would not be completed by July 26 as planned due to backlogs of duties. According to NN source from the Ministry, feasibility study will not be completed before August. Ministry reported that Road Directorate that would run the construction project has not been established yet. Ministry also reported that RS Government and Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Feasibility study would be finished by July 26’ by L.S. – Following the meeting with directors of institutes that are preparing the documentation (on feasibility study on Corridor Vc), the BiH Minister of Transportand Communication Branko Dokic says he expects that the feasibility study for Corridor Vc would be completed by July 26 as planned. Dokic also added that he should receive draft Law on Roads, crucial for realization of Corridor 5-C, which would be then submitted to the BiH Council of Ministers. |
RS NA adopted strategy for development of agriculture up to 2015
| Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Duties regarding roads and agriculture accepted’ by V.P. – RS National Assembly deputies adopted a strategy of agriculture development by 2015. According to the strategy, 6% of budget resources will be allocated to agricultural incentives in the following 3 years. Strategy also provides for establishment of 500 dairy farms, new orchards, construction of small irrigation systems and support to modern capacities necessary for finalisation of farming produce. RS Minister of Agriculture Slaven Pekic is very pleased with this decision. RS NA deputies also adopted a decision on a US$ 7.6 million loan with International Fund for Development of Agriculture that will be used for improvement of rural businesses. RS NA also adopted decision regarding loan taking of EURO 40 million with European Investment Bank, intended for rehabilitation of roads in RS. |
Russian Embassy to BiH confirms
| Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Russian investments in jeopardy’ by |
GS wonders whether ITA SB session on 25 July would identify key to distribution of resources from single account
| Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘BAM 181 million blocked’ by D.V.M. – Daily wonders whether the key to distribution of resources from ITA (Indirect Taxation Administration) single account would be found at the next meeting between representatives of the RS, F BiH and Brcko District, which is to take place on 25 July, when ITA Steering Board is to hold session in Banja Luka. The session is to be chaired by Peter Nicholl for the first time. Ratko Kovacevic, Head of ITA Communication Department, has stated that “owing to blockade that has been lasting for 18 days now, the amount of BAM 181.2 million has been ‘frozen’ on the account.” |
Judicial Issues/Investigations | |
‘Covic and others’ trial continues: defense witness tries to discredit protected witness
| Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Imamovic: I was blackmailed by protected witness’ by E. Mackic – ‘Covic and others’ trial continued before the BiH Court on Tuesday with defense witness Nihad Imamovic saying that prosecution’s protected witness Zoran Nikolic tried to extort KM 100,000 from Imamovic back in 1999 and that he tried to blackmail Lijanovici company as well. After this, expert witness Marko Galic testified and ascertained that Lijanovici company did not give any gift to the-then FBiH Finance Minister Dragan Covic and that the company paid all excise tax on the goods it imported. (trial is related to alleged tax evasions involving ‘Lijanovici’ company and Dragan Covic) (also reported by Vecernji List pg 5 ‘Covic got neither apartment nor a million KM’ by Z. K.) |
President of Brod Refinery Union accuses RS Pres and former Refinery Manager of obstructing investigation into “Vitol” affair
| Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Cavic and Mujicic influence investigation in “Vitol” affair’ by G.Maunaga – Danilo Brocilo, President of the Union of Brod Refinery Tuesday stated that the RS President, Dragan Cavic, and former Refinery Manager, Vojin Mujicic, are influencing investigation in “Vitol” affair, noting: “They are doing all they can that persons against whom criminal reports have been filed are freed of responsibility. I believe Minister (of Energy in RS |
Former RS PM Klickovic’s lawyer announces lodging of complaint re extradition of his client to BiH
| Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Klickovic to complain before Serbian Supreme Court?’ – BiH Justice Minister Slobodan Kovac told daily that although there are “no official information from Belgrade, it seems like Serbian authorities are ready to extradite [former RS Prime Minister] Gojko Klickovic.” BiH Prosecutor’s Office has delivered a request for extradition of Klickovic suspected of abuse of office and illegal writing-off of debts for taxes, excises and fees to Tobacco Factory from |
SD argues acquittal of Alispahic et al. proves judiciary reform failed, AID still rules BiH
| Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘AID shaping independent judiciary’ by Milo Jukic – SD article comments on the recent court decision to acquit former FBiH Interior Minister Bakir Alispahic and 4 other AID (ex-Bosniak secret service) and MoI members of charges of attempted murder of Fikret Abdic. Jukic reminds that this trial started out as a trial of organizers of the Pogorelica terrorist training camp in which SFOR in 1996 found large quantities of explosives (planted into children’s toys) and military equipment and arrested 8 MoI and AID members as well as 3 members of Iranian intelligence services who were there in the capacity of instructors. Commentary argues Pogorelica trial proved that Alispahic et al organized terrorist training but when the public thought that state sponsored terrorism was about to come to an end, those responsible were actually rewarded and not sanctioned. Author concludes that the money the IC put into judiciary reform in BiH was wasted because it turns out that AID, although officially does not exist any longer, actually still rules BiH. |
Alleged terrorist Alicic says 2 years ago he was offered money to destroy Hum cross and US Consular office | Vecernji List pg 7 ‘Wahhaby’s confession: They offered me 9000 US$ to destroy cross on Hum’ by Robert Soldo – VL reporter visited the home of Elviz Alicic, who was questioned and imprisoned by the police for what some media described as a terrorist attempt to destroy the cross on the Hum hill in Mostar. Alicic, aka Abu Dzafir, informed VL that two years ago he was offered US$ 9000 to destroy the cross and that he was also offered to plant explosive at the US Consular Office [not specified whether in Mostar or elsewhere], both of which he says he refused. According to Alicic, money was offered to him by one Seih Husein whom Alicic threw out of his house. He says he did fight in the “El Mujahid” unit during the war but today he is merely a religious man and not a terrorist which is why Islamic radicals are trying to kill him today; he says sharpshooters are deployed around his house who already fired two shots at him. |
Political Developments | |
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Benelux countries abolishing visas to our diplomats’ by S.S. – Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Patrick Dewael is visiting BiH on Wednesday. Minister Dewael will meet with BiH Security Minister Barisa Colak, and sign the agreement on readmission and exchange notes on the agreement for abolishing visas for holders of diplomatic passports between |
BiH | Nezavisne Novine pg 9 ‘Deadline for removal of irregularities expires today’ by FENA – Maksida Bajramovic, Spokesperson with the BiH Central Election Commission, has stated that deadline of five days, which was given to political subjects to remove irregularities at their candidates’ lists, expires on Wednesday. She said that of 7500 proposed candidates, 663 of them failed to meet all legal requirements. |
Miscellaneous | |
Round table on missing persons ended in
| Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘On half way’ by M.Dizdar – Two-day round table dedicated to search for imprisoned and missing persons, which was organized in Banja Luka by the RS Association of families of fallen and missing soldiers ended on Tuesday. Participants expressed discontent with the results of search and processing of war crimes suspects. The Chairman of the Association Nedeljko Mitrovic said the process is at its halfway stage adding this Association is not satisfied with the work of competent institutions (Army, Ministry of Interior, BiH institutions, SIPA, OSA etc). Mitrovic also said this Association is not satisfied with the work of the ICTY noting that neither one case regarding war crimes over Serbs has been solved. RS Chief Prosecutor Amor Bukic stated that the task of the Prosecution is to raise indictments and reminded that war crimes have been in competence of Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Institutions do not help in search after missing’ by G.M. – also reports on Round Table |
Banja Luka Major Davidovic condemns incidents in
| BHT1 By Boris Gagic – Numerous incidents, such as shooting near the local mosque, insulting graffiti written on the walls of famous BiH poet Nasiha Kapidzic-Hadzic’s house, and the walls of elementary school at Banja Luka’s district of Vrbanja, are probably linked with ‘Days on Banjaluka Diaspora’ manifestation. Local authorities condemned those incidents. Banja Luka Mayor Dragoljub Davidovic called on all people in Vrbanja to behave reasonably. “They have to cooperate, to obey the principles of tolerance and mutual respect”, stated Davidovic. Representatives of local police emphasized that they were doing all they can to find the perpetrators of those crimes. “Public Security Centre Banjaluka has already taken certain measures to solve those cases. We have also taken measures to prevent further incidents from happening”, stated |
Avaz op-ed: Celebrating late Chetnik movement leader in BL is message that genocide would happen again
| Dnevni Avaz pg 3 ‘Followers of Draza’ op-ed by Almasa Hadzic – Commenting recent raising of monument to late (WW II) Chetnik movement leader Draza Mihailovic in Banja Luka, only seven days after marking anniversary of Srebrenica genocide, editorial comments: “Celebrating his name is message to everyone that point their fingers at crime and its perpertators that this crime would happen again, because Draza, and they unfortunatelly still believe in it, is not dead not even 60 years after [his death].” |